The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and the Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure proper regulation of genetically modified foods (GM Foods) in Nigeria.
“NAFDAC is a major stakeholder in biosafety as the NBMA Act 2015 specifically states that NAFDAC will also be involved in the certification of GM foods. In view of this, the Agency has been working tirelessly for several months to get this memorandum signed and it is a thing of joy to sign this today,” said Rufus Ebegba, director general and CEO, NBMA in a press statement made available to BusinessDay.
Ebegba emphasised the need for both agencies to work together for proper regulation of GM food and for the good of Nigerians.
He stressed how germane the role of NAFDAC is in the food safety system of Nigeria. He further stated that, recently the Agency was alerted of imported GM maize and a team of bio-safety officers was sent to take sample for analyses. After confirmation that the maize was genetically modified, NBMA took the most responsive action by repatriating the shipment.
The director general stated that the MoU signing was necessary as the agency has previously signed MoUs with other agencies such as the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and National Seed Council (NASC) and is set to sign more memoranda with other line agencies to ensure the safe practice of modern biotechnology and use of its products.
In his remarks the Moji Christiana Adeyeye, director general, NAFDAC, ably represented by Samson Adebayo, director PRS stated that NAFDAC is very ready to collaborate with NBMA to ensure GM products in the country are safe for consumption by Nigerians.
Adebayo expressed gratitude for the initiative to draft and sign an MoU by both agencies and assured that there would be adequate collaboration between NAFDAC and NBMA for proper regulation of GM foods in the country.
Josephine Okojie
