The Federal Government (FG) has defended the approval of the recently launched Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) known as TELA Maize, assuring Nigerians of its safety. This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Gloria Ogbaki.
“The attention of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has been drawn to the concerns of Nigerians as a result of the approval and launch of TELA maize in Nigeria.
“The NBMA takes into serious cognisance the concerns of Nigerians as maize is a staple crop and of great importance to the country.
“We understand that there have been concerns and misinformation circulating about the recently approved TELA Maize in Nigeria.
“We wish to assure the Nigerians that this maize variety has been certified to be as safe as its organic or conventional counterpart as there are no chemicals or insecticide laced in them as claimed by some groups in Nigeria.”
According to the NBMA, the adoption of TELA Maize was thoroughly analyzed by 2 committees made up of experts and scientists from Academia and relevant agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASCs), amongst others.
