By Abdallah el-Kurebe
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has commended the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for setting the pace for the regulation of modern biotechnology in Africa.
The commendation was made during a courtesy call by the officials of the Foundation led by the Head of AATF West Africa, Dr. Issoufou Kollo on the management of the Agency in Abuja on Monday.
According to AATF, the NBMA had registered Nigeria’s preparedness to deploy biotechnology in a safe and responsible manner, adding that African continent had benefited from NBMA’s decision to play by the rules to ensure that the practice of modern biotechnology posed no harm to human health and the environment.
“We have followed the activities of this young agency since its creation and we areproud to be associated with it. It has not only set the standard in Africa but has also shown that the Nigeria has put in the necessary safe guards in place for the deployment of modern biotechnology,” he said.
The Director General of NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba earlier informed AATF delegation of the modest achievements recorded since its creation.
“We have granted over 4 permits for Confined Field Trials (CFTs), one for commercial release and capacity building for its staff,” he said.
Ebegba also informed the guests of the establishment of the state-of-the-art Genetic Modification Detection and Analysis Laboratory by the agency for the purpose of detection and analysis of GMOs in foods or crops.
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