Biotechnology: NBMA seeks collaborations with Interpol, ICGEB

THE National Biosafety Management Agency is seeking to collaborate with the Interpol as part of efforts to ensure the safe application of modern biotechnology and the use of its products which includes genetically modified organisms (GMOS).

The Director General of the agency, Dr Rufus Ebegba, said this when he led the management team of the agency who paid a courtesy visit to the office of the commissioner of police and head of Interpol National Centre Bureau (NCB) who is also the head of the Interpol committee delegate representing Africa, Olushola Subair.

The DG said the essence of the collaboration is to synergise with the Interpol and to make sure that the agency is promptly alerted whenever GM seed or grain comes into the country without biosafety permit and to also ascertain the country of origin and those involved.

Dr Ebegba said the agency has signed memorandum of understanding with other sister agencies all in a bid to ensure that its mandate is achieved, noting that a collaboration with the centre will help the Agency in its bid to deliver on its mandate.

Responding, the head of the Interpol NCB Olushola Subair said the Interpol is ready and very willing to collaborate with the Agency to ensure that the mandate of the NBMA is achieved, noting that there are very key areas Interpol can collaborate with the Agency.

He said the Interpol will collaborate with the Agency in terms of training for staff, provide protective kits and equipment for staff of the NBMA among others.

Also, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has signed a training agreement with the Italy based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) to boost the capacity of its staff to properly regulate modern biotechnology in Nigeria.

The agreement, which took effect immediately with a training session, aims to enhance the partnership between both organizations and grant NBMA access to the centre’s e-learning platform to train its employees in the workplace at its own pace using materials provided by the ICGEB.

Speaking at the maiden e-learning training, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director General/CEO, NBMA, said that it was important that the capacity of staff who regulate the sector be constantly updated due to the controversies that trail the technology.

“NBMA was not established to frustrate biotechnology but ensure that Nigerians and the environment are protected against any harmful effect of modern biotechnology,” he said.

He noted that science remained the driver of change globally due to its universality and verifiable nature hence modern biotechnology should not be treated differently.

He acknowledged that every technology has its ups and down but stressed that the Biosafety system was introduced to ensure that related uncertainties are either completely eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum.

He was confident that the staff would benefit immensely from the training as it would build the capacity of the staff to holistically understand the Biosafety system.

He lead trainer from ICGEB, Mr. Dennis Ndolo said that Nigeria remained the leading light in the area of Biosafety on the African continent.

Ndolo said the staff would be introduced to the centre’s e-learning platform where they can use it over time to enhance their knowledge and performance.