The Federal House of Representatives in Nigeria is set to pass a bill for the management of biosafety in the country. This follows the submission of a report on a bill to establish Nigeria Biosafety Commission by the joint Committees on Science and Technology and Agriculture.

The establishment of the biosafety commission would ensure improved earnings from agro-allied services, food security and environmental sustainability in the country.

The chairman of the science and technology committee, Honourable Abiodun Akinlade, says that a report on the public hearings conducted with the committee on Agriculture will provide a regulatory framework for activities in Nigeria’s biotechnology sector.

The report, now awaiting consideration in the House is to ensure that the practice of biotechnology is undertaken within the scope of the regulatory system, which would guarantee its safe application in the country.

‘With the anticipated consideration and passage of the reports, Nigeria will join other countries that are interested in tapping into modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms and their products,' says Akinlade.

Mali, South Africa and Kenya have put in place a regulatory mechanism for the biotechnology sector.

The quest for a biotechnology law to ensure food security and sustainability began in the 1990s and was boosted by the government signing the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) in the year 2000. The protocol is designed to ensure adequate protection in the transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms in case of adverse effects taking into consideration risks to human health on trans-border movement.

Although the government established the National Biotechnology Development Agency as an alternative tool for sustainable and improved food production, there has been deficiencies in relation to the safety of the practice.

The passing of the law will ensure the establishment of a biosafety agency that would regulate the sector.

Contact Details

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
Abuja, Nigeria

MAILING ADDRESS
Office of The Speaker
PMB 141
Three Arms Zone
Abuja, Nigeria

TELEPHONE AND FAX
Tel: +234 (0)9 460 25158
Fax: +234 (0)9 460 25189

EMAIL
admin@speakersoffice.gov.ng

WEBSITE
www.speakersoffice.gov.ng