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Tag: Rufus Ebegba

  • ‘Biotechnology accreditation in Nigeria tertiary institutions to boost food security’

    The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), says with the accreditation of biotechnology in some tertiary institutions, food security will be enhanced in the country.

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of NBMA said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

    “Upon meeting the requirements set forth for the accreditation of institutions, the NBMA accredited some institutions to carry out biotechnology activities.

    “They include the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure; Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria; International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja.

    Others are the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike,” he said.

    “We have certified containment facilities for bio-fortified cassava enhanced with pro-vitamin A at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike.

    He said bio-fortified cassava enhanced with Iron had been concluded while Genetically Modified Cassava resistant to cassava mosaic virus was ongoing, adding that  brown streak virus had also been concluded at the institute.

    Egbeba said with the establishment of the agency, the universities and research institutes now had confidence to carry out biotechnology research expected to increase agricultural productivity as well as contribute to food security in Nigeria.

    “The agency has also granted Permit for Commercial Release and Importation of GM Crops for Feeds and Food Processing such as Bt. Cotton to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Ltd., (Commercial Release) and Biosafety Permit to WACOT Nig. Ltd, Biosafety Permit for commercial release of Bt Cotton.

    “Nigeria is benefiting from safe modern biotechnology under a legal framework for economic growth, improved agriculture, job and wealth creation, industrial growth and sustainable environment.

    “These are possible because operators now have confidence in the sector, risks to human health from modern biotechnology practice and the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are at their barest minimum,” he said.

    He noted that dumping of unauthorised GMOs in Nigeria is now at its barest minimum, as avenues are being provided to confirm safety and harness the potential of modern biotechnology.

    “Negative socio-economic consequences of GMOs are being guarded against, and confidence built in the practice of modern biotechnology, use and handling of GMOs and GM products.

    “Nigeria’s commitment to the principles of International Agreements and Treaties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) is reaffirmed.

    “We now have proper regulation for imported GM products, so that Nigeria will not be a dumping ground for GMOs,” he added.

     

  • Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency ( NBMA ), says the training of regulators of modern biotechnology is necessary to enable Nigeria to benefit maximally from biotechnology applications.

    Ebegba said this in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open the four-day training, organised for the workforce of the agency in collaboration with M and A Global Projects, a biotechnology consulting firm.

    He stressed that the evolving nature of the technology had made it imperative to train and retrain workers who oversaw the regulation of biotechnology products in the country.

    “The training is part of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to build the capacity of staff to ensure effective regulation of modern biotechnology in the country,’’ he said.

    Ebegba said that the agency was not established by the Federal Government to stop Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMOs ) or promote it, adding that its mandate was to ensure that GMOs were safe for human health and the environment.

    “Biosafety is very crucial to our national economic efforts, as it will bring about more agricultural yields for food sufficiency and profits for Nigerian farmers.

    “The issue of biosafety has been on the front burner, to the point that some people are opposed to it, to the extent that even the permits granted by the agency last year have been criticised by many environmentalists.’’

    Ebegba said that although some environmentalists had taken NBMA to court, the agency would not be deterred in its efforts to fulfil its mandate.

    He, however, underscored the need to expose the agency’s staff to the extant regulations on biotechnology so that Nigeria would not be a dumping ground for unsafe GMO products.

    “Our key responsibility is to serve as an unbiased umpire to ensure that the practice of modern biotechnology is safe for the people, while boosting the economy,’’ he added.

    Also speaking, Chinyere Nzeduru, the Director of Environmental Biosafety and General Release, NBMA, said that the workshop was meant to equip the staff with the relevant skills that would facilitate their efforts to discharge their duties effectively.

    “This agency is a very sensitive one, as issues of modern biotechnology are very technical and require people who are up-to-date and knowledgeable to carry out biotechnology regulations in the country; hence the constant training of staff,’’ she said.

    The theme of the workshop is: “Capacity Building for Effective Biosafety Management in Nigeria’’.

    NAN

  • Nigeria, now a dumping ground for inferior, substandard foods – Minister

    Minister of State for Environment Ibrahim Jibril says Nigeria has become a dumping ground for inferior, substandard, expired and poisonous foods and feeds from countries across the globe.

    The minister said this on Monday in Abuja at a workshop organised by National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS) to stimulate the collaboration of regulatory agencies.

    He, however, noted that there might be some machinations by some affluent nations to keep Nigeria a food-dependent nation perpetually.

    “Nigeria has been marginalised and ostracised by many rich nations in the European Union which suspended some of our agricultural products, citing high volume of dichlorvos pesticide as its reason.“This is a reflection of our inability to adhere to global standards, which has come to hunt us at the international level.

    “And I made bold to say that we — the regulatory Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) — all contributed our fair share to this deplorable state of affairs.

    “Although we all have our specific mandates; the lack of collaboration in carrying out the mandates in the face of limited resources has hampered and reduced our efficiency and effectiveness,’’ he said.

    Jibril said that now that modern biotechnology was becoming increasingly significant in addressing the emerging challenges of food security and renewable energy demand; stakeholders must work together for the good of the country.

    “With its perceived and real unintended consequences, we the regulatory agencies must unite with a sense of purpose, vision, mission and determination to ensure that our nation do not become a dumping ground.

    “And we must as well not run away from the benefits of the application of modern biotechnology and the use of genetically modified foods and feeds,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, NBMA, said that the agency had been advocating inter-agency collaboration to ensure that

    Nigeria would not be termed a dumping ground for unwholesome products anymore.

    “Collaboration is key to success and we want to succeed in the use and application of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.

    “That is why we are collaborating with line agencies to keep the country safe and healthy,’’ he added.

    Mr John Komen, the Coordinator of PBS in Africa, pledged his organisation’s support for efforts to adopt modern biotechnology applications in Nigeria.

    “The workshop will discuss and analyse the responsibilities, use and legal mandates of relevant agencies as well as the impact of the commercial releases of genetically modified crops.

    “It will also define the areas of collaboration and potential of these agencies,’’ he said.

    Highlights of the event include the inauguration of the Biosafety Detection Laboratory at the headquarters of National Biosafety Management Agency in Abuja.

  • FG undertakes survey of genetically modified organisms in Nigeria

    FG undertakes survey of genetically modified organisms in Nigeria

     Agency allays fear over health concerns
    Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency  (NBMA), Rufus Ebegba has said that the  Federal Government is carrying out a survey of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that has entered  Nigeria since 2009.
    The survey, according to Ebegba is  to ascertain if any, harmful GMO has entered the country  in the period under review.
    He said  such harmful GMOs, if they exist  will be mopped out of the market.
    This is just as the agency has allayed fears that GMOs has health concerns for consumers of the produce.
    He said the agency has requested that all applicants seeking to bring in the bio- technology product into Nigeria to formalise their application  in order to have statutory  control.
    Ebegba disclosed this in  an interview with journalists at the local wing of the Lagos Airport.
    He said the clarification has become imperative because of controversies triggered in some quarters that the agency gave approval for Mosanto’s GMO in Nigeria.
    He said there is nothing unusual about GMOS, entering Nigeria, because government will not  support anything that could  jeopardise the health and well being her citizens.
    He assured that there is no harmful GMO in the country, warning that those who would want to bring in any harmful sample will be severely sanctioned.
    Ebegba wondered why some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), are against GMOs, saying that there is the serious global monitoring of such technology by the United Nations.
    He said there is nothing new about GMOs to warrant the concerns being raised in some quarters.
    He said: “There has been a lot of controversies about GMOS, Mosanto and the Agency. The Agency was established to ensure the safety of Nigerians as regards the use of genetically modified organisms and also the research that leads to their development.
    “But I want to assure Nigerians that there is no GMO that will harm anyone in this country that will be released. There are sanctions. No one wants to go to jail not even for one day. If other countries accept what is wrong, we will not accept it.
      “Already, we are doing a survey of all the GMOS that have entered this country before this act. And once  they are found to be not good enough, we will find a way to mop them out of the market. We have requested them to formalise.
    ” Nigerians can be rest assured that the government has put in place all necessary things and they should not be lured into the war between two industries – bio-tech and agro-chemical company.
      “Permit to Mosanto: that of corn is experimental and it would still take up to five years before the experiment can come into the market.
      “Why are the NGO against GMO: “Everyone has their own interests and whatever interest anyone has… GMO is not new and their are close monitoring everywhere. Nations, the United Nations are al monitoring. If GMOS are dangerous, will UN support it?
      “Before now, most people were not hearing about GMO but the agency has brought it to the fore and it has become a national discourse.
     “The discussions are quite healthy but what i’m against is an attempt to vilify government officials who have good intentions ensuring that everybody is safe. There is no individual that can protect the people better than the government. The Government is aware of what is good for Nigerians and that is why they have established the agency to ensure that development in this sector does not compromise safety.
      “Since 2009, Nigeria has been receiving applications for Biosafety permits.
    There is nothing to hide. There is no government that would want to do anything adverse to the people.
    We mean well. The interesting thing is that they are no differentiating between a maize that is genetically modified and another that is not, from the analysis so far conducted.
    “Mosanto is not the only one we have granted a permit to. If anyone has issues with Mosanto, it should not be seen as if my agency is being vilified. The agency is established to ensure safety, not to stop GMO.
    “We have more than 26 institutes in Nigeria conduct researches on biotechnology. Apart from that, the government has established biotechnology management agency.
    “Al these agencies are going to be doing genetic engineering. For anyone to say this is coming from America or Europe, is not likely to be because Nigeria has to develop what is good for the country.
    “There is no reason to raise health concerns. GMO has been in the market since 1996 and there is no doubt that we have them in the market. I can boldly tell you that all what we have in the market have been tested and confirmed safe.”