Our progress in biotechnology will be sustained —Minister

THE Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said that progress made by Nigeria in biotechnology would have significant impact on the economy.

Speaking while inaugurating the National Biotechnology Policy Review Committee in Abuja, Dr Onu said refined cotton seedlings developed by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) is highly resistant to attack from worms and has high yielding capacity, adding that this would help in rejuvenating the dying cotton industries in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerian textile industry used to be the second largest employer of labour in Nigeria and was very important to wealth creation, but had been incapacitated by worm disease.

He further said that with the discovery of high-yielding and worm-resistant seedlings, there is hope for the resuscitation of the nation’s moribund textile firms.

The minister stressed that biotechnology is critical to the development of technology and other sectors in the country, adding that its proper development would increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Dr. Onu further said that the present administration’s policy thrust to discourage the importation of food into Nigeria can only work through biotechnological input.

Perils of indifference

’’For our industries to function properly, with our desire for irreversible industrialisation, research and innovation work in biotechnology is essential, ’’ he noted.

Dr Onu disclosed that NABDA has started research work on the production of vaccines that would be helpful in protecting children from life-threatening ailments.

While saying that biotechnology is essential to all facets of life from defence, renewable energy and agriculture, the minister added that the ministry would continue to research so as to transform the economy and boost its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Birtus Bako Nabasu, said NABDA was established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to promote biotechnology development.

According to Nabasu, the National Committee on Review of the 2001 National Biotechnology Policy was established for the coordination of the implantation of the review. The committee comprises the chairman and 16 members.

Mr. Nabasu further disclosed that the terms of reference of the committee are to critically look at the 2001 National Policy on Biotechnology with a view to assessing the level of implementation and also to identify gaps in the existing 2001 National Policy on Biotechnology.

He further said that the committee would study the present policy and its contradictions and identify key biotechnologies that can bring about rapid development of the country’s bio-economy.

The chairman of the committee, Mr Abayomi Oguntunde, assured that the committee would do its best to come up with viable policy that would be the pride of the country.

Nigerian Tribune