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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, yesterday, charged the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to ensure all Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) products are properly labeled.
The panel gave the charge during a budget defence session with the Director General of the agency, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha.
Mustapha, while responding to a question, had noted that anyone consuming cereal from the United States was already consuming GMO products because 90 percent of maize in the US is GMO, adding that not every Nigerians is averse to GMOs as it was being portrayed.
Nonetheless, a member of the panel, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, stated that it was imperative for a clear labelling of GMO products to enable Nigerians make informed choices.
“In advanced environment, you have choices but here, 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.
“You are serving Nigerians that ordinarily, if they have that knowledge, wouldn’t consume and you’re trying to justify it.”
