The Nigerian government Monday sought to clear the air on the ongoing controversy over the introduction of genetically modified organisms into the country.
Shehu Ahmed, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the government would soon make a statement on the complaints made by Nigerians on the use of GMOs.
“We are still looking at it; we have received some complaints from the public, but we are looking at it,” Mr. Ahmed said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
“Our experts are looking at it; our research institutes are looking at it.”
Mr. Shehu’s comments came weeks after the Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency issued two permits for the Commercial Release and Placing on Market of genetically modified cotton, and the confined field trial of maize, to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited.
The two permits are: ‘Permit for Commercial release/ Placing on Market of Cotton (MON15985) genetically modified for lepidopteran insect pest resistance’ with Permit No: NBMA/CM/IM/001 and ‘Permit for Confined Field Trial (CFT) of maize (NK603 and MON 89034 x NK603) genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance’ with Permit No: NBMA/C FT/001.
The permits came despite concerted efforts of many Nigerians (comprising 100 groups of farmers, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, students, and local farmers) to prevent the introduction of Cottgenetically modified (GM) cotton and maize into Nigeria’s foods and farming system.
The NBMA approved the glysophate herbicide resistant maize despite the International Agency for Research on Cancer report that linked the active ingredient glyphosate to cancer.
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