Biosafety agency alerts Nigerians on GM maize

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has raised alarm over tons of genetically modified (GM) maize imported into the country without approvals.

The Director General of NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, said the agency got notice of the importation through an intelligence report and has set in motion machineries to track the importers and bring them to book.

He said, “We have no application from anyone on this and we are not aware of any move to bring in this maize. The NBMA Act 2015 has stipulated steps and procedures for the importation, production and processing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country and we will ensure that the act is strictly followed.

“We will not allow lawlessness by anybody by bringing in genetically modified food, grains or seeds into this country. We must ascertain the safety of the product before they come into the country.”

He noted that the agency needed to conduct a risk assessment to determine whether the products are safe before they can be allowed, adding that, “If anyone try to bring such product into the country, there are penalties for such people. If they are found guilty they could be sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N2.5million or both and such products are confiscated.”