Rufus Ebegba, the Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says the agency will continue to develop and maintain professional standards in the field of bio-safety.
Ebegba made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
“This is with a view to developing national academic bio-safety curriculum and advancing bio-safety as a scientific discipline through public education and awareness.
“We regularly through workshops and seminars bring regulators and scientists together for information sharing on the role of the NBMA in the regulation of modern biotechnology activities and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
“And as well as provide stakeholders with sustained opportunities for Bio-safety communication, education and participation in the development of standards, guidelines and regulations,’’ he said.
He said that the agency would also continue to work together with and enlighten the media on the need to disseminate the right information to the public on issues of bio-safety and GMOs.
“We will constantly expand bio-safety awareness and the promotion of safety at work place practices to reduce the potential of occupational illness and adverse environmental impact.
“Educate scientists on the need for responsible modern biotechnology application, practices and utilisation.
“All these are aimed at emphasising the importance of effective bio-safety regulation to food security and socio-economic development in the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria.’’
Ebegba said that bio-safety in modern biotechnology regulation and how they were related to pertinent economic issues could not be over emphasised.
“Like in the areas of healthcare delivery systems, environmental management and economic sustainability, we work together to enable scientists, government institutions and stakeholders within and outside the country to cross-fertilise ideas to foster holistic bio-safety in Nigeria.’’
He said that since biotechnology was one of the tools for food security, the use of science and technology would ensure food security for the economic development of the country.
