“The proposed legislation is a very bad one that must be thrown into the trash can,”
The development came just as stakeholders in the bio – safety sector rejected the bill in their separate submissions at the forum.
The Public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Environment at the National Assembly but the Sponsor of the National Bio – Safety Management Agency Act (amendment) Bill, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi ( PDP Kebbi North), did not participate in the public hearing on the proposed legislation, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Abdullahi, a former Senate Leader, had in the bill sought for strict regulation on foods that are genetically modified in preventing inherent health hazards.
He specifically sought for labelling of genetically modified foods in the country for consumers to know difference between them and natural ones and recommended sanctions against violation of the proposed law.
First to kick against the bill , was the Director General of National Bio – Technology Development Agency ( NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha who said the proposed amendment was unnecessary.
He said NABDA in particular and other relevant agencies have been carrying out the regulation being sought for in preventing consumption of toxic chemicals by Nigerians.
Mustapha said, “There is no reason , there is no justification for the proposed legislation as NABDA has made significant achievements on Agriculture and Vaccines production towards checkmating consumption of toxic chemicals from modified foods and addressing the problem of insecurity.
”It is on this achievement that President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the bill now Act , making NABDA to embark on wide range of research work and accessing international grants for its scientifically and technologically driven bio – technology development,” he said .
The President of All Farmers Association in Nigeria ( AFAN) , Architect Kabiru Ibrahim also kicked against the bill by saying that Nigerian farmers are up to the task of providing food sufficiency in the country .
The Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights , Barrister Frank Tiete , said accepting the proposal will be tantamount to violation of treaty entered into by Nigeria through the existing Act with 172 other countries across the globe .
”No need for amendment of the extant law since Nigeria it is also domesticated in 172 other countries in the world
”The proposed legislation is a very bad one that must be thrown into the trash can,” he said.
Members of the committee from the Vice Chairman , Senator Hassan Hadeijia ( APC Jigawa North East ) who acted as Chairman in absence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who is standing trial in London to the other members like Senator Nnachi Michael ( PDP Ebonyi South ), among others, also kicked against the bill.
They said that preponderance of views on the bill, will decide its fate.
