By Muhammad Amaan
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has validated its National Biosafety Guidelines on Low-Level Presence (LLP) to ensure that only approved Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are safely imported into the country.
Speaking during the presentation and validation of the guidelines on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of NBMA, Dr Agnes Asagbra, emphasised the agency’s commitment to protecting human health, animals, plants, and the environment.
“I like to assure Nigerians that we are concerned about their safety. We have to conduct rigorous assessments to ensure that GMOs are safe for consumption,” she stated.
Dr Asagbra noted NBMA’s mandate to regulate modern biotechnology, adding that the newly validated guidelines are crucial in ensuring that no unverified seeds or grains enter the country.
“A very important guideline is being validated on LLP for the importation of GMOs. Because of our mandate to save human lives, we are determined that not just any seed or grain can come into the country,” she said.
Asagbra further assured that all grains or seeds imported into Nigeria must be analysed and certified safe.
“LLP means the product must have been certified, approved, and gone through basic risk assessment in other countries and certified safe before it is accepted in Nigeria.
“Let me state categorically that LLP is not a safety issue; it is a trade issue,” she clarified.
Similarly, Mrs Modupe Adeyemo, Senior Programme Officer at AUDA-NEPAD, expressed satisfaction with the guidelines and pledged support for implementing NBMA’s GMO importation policies.
