By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology has urged the National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, to ensure immediate labelling of all Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, in the market and public space for easy identification adding that such is in line with global best practices.
Speaking yesterday, at the National Assembly when the Director General of NABDA, Abdullahi Mustapha appeared before lawmakers for the defence of his agency 2024 budget, a member of the Committee, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante urged the agency to always label their product to allow Nigerians an opportunity to choose for themselves what they want to consume.
According to the lawmaker, “In advanced environment, you have choices but herei n Nigeria, we do not label. There is a question mark on Tela Maize so what we are saying is you have to do more research before adaptation.
Earlier in his reaction, the Director General of the agency, Abdullahi Mustapha while responding to question during the session justified reasons why Nigeria should adopt GMOs even as he also explained that many people are currently consuming GMO food in the United States of America. USA.
The agency further noted that over 90% of maize in the US in GMO”,adding that some Nigerians, and not all Nigerians rejected them as being portrayed.
