GMOs: NBMA Partners Police On Enforcement

BY ETTA MICHAEL BISONG, ABUJA – As part of efforts to ensure the safety of human health as well as promote environmental conservation, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has approached the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command for collaboration on compliance and enforcement on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Furthermore. the Agency is seeking support to effectively carry out its constitutional duty of regulating GMOs and other related food products in the country.

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Dr Rufus Ebegba said the proposed partnership has become imperative because of statutory requirements for marketing and consuming such products in Nigeria. 

According to him, “The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is always the first when we are looking at enforcement; this is because the law establishing the Agency says enforcement must be done in company of the police.”

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the FCT Police Commissioner, Ebegba explained that the synergy is also pivotal because of the critical nature of the sector.   

He commended the command for effectively providing security within the FCT and pledged the Agency’s readiness to work with the Nigeria Police to further guarantee the health and safety of the citizenry.

The NBMA helmsman also spoke on plans to train Police personnel on the core mandate of the Agency, particularly in the area of enforcement and prosecution of those found compromising the law.

In his remarks, the Police Commissioner, Mr Sadiq Bello said strong liaison between both parties will foster compliance and ensure milestone achievements in the execution of its regulatory function across the country.

He promised to support the Agency by ensuring that Police personnel work closely with NBMA’s officials to achieve its mandate.

The Police boss commended NBMA’s effort at ensuring food and crops coming into the country as well as those produced within are safe for consumption by people and the environment at large.

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques (a genetically engineered organism). They are used to produce many medications and genetically modified foods and are widely used in scientific research and the production of other goods.