Legislature
Amendment to Bio -Safety Act suffers major setback as stakeholders reject proposal
***Sponsor, Yahaya Abdullahi shuns hearing
A Proposed amendment to National Bio – Safety Management Agency Act has suffered a major setback as all relevant stakeholders in the environment sector vehemently opposed it during public hearing on a bill sponsored to that effect by the former Senate Leader , Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP Kebbi North).
The Public hearing which was organised by the Senate Committee on Environment held Wednesday at the National Assembly was shunned by the sponsor of the amendment bill, Yahaya Abdullahi
Abdullahi 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 the difference between them and natural ones and recommended sanctions against violation of the proposed law.
But all the stakeholders in the bio – safety sector who were in attendance rejected the proposed legislation in the separate submissions made.
Professor Celestine Aguoru lecturer and research scientist, environmental consultant from University of Agriculture Makurdi said there is nothing wrong with the original bill what is wrong is the amendment they are proposing.
He warned that people should not propose amendment to any bill they lack requisite Knowledge on.
“Biosafety concerns regulation of the products of modern Biotechnology not Biodiversity as a whole. Every person who wants to talk about that would have to understand the reason for that not just to walk around and talk about biodiversity generally.
“The moment you do that you will conflict the work of the National Center for Disease Control which looks at the safety of the things that come from Micro organisms which is part of Biodiversity.
“Those that proposed the amendment do not understand that fact so they need to understand the concept of modern Biotechnology which is genetic engineering and also know the concept of regulation of the safety of such Products.
“They should be able to know what is achievable in the science of genetic engineering. Whoever that is proposing an amendment to a bill should have the basic knowledge. If you don’t have the knowledge then don’t talk about it.
“What they are invariably proposing is that scientists don’t have to practice the science of genetic engineering in Nigeria, they telling us go and practice it elsewhere then bring the product when it becomes perfect according to their own thinking to Nigeria
“It is not done anywhere, even the maize we are eating today was not like that originally. It went through breeding, today we have plants that bear fruits, if you look at the palm tree we have the short one now, not like the old breed that used to be very tall and takes decades to mature.
“If this proposed amendment is carried out you tie our hands, it means you are dying Scientist should no longer carryout research in the area of genetic engineering, we will relocate to environments that permit us to carryout our research and that will become unpatriotic.
“That will lead to Nigeria not advancing in science and that will lead to a major brain drain, we already have that on ground and today you are proposing a law that will drive out the remaining people. Whoever that does that is not helping the country and it is unpatriotic. That amendment is not necessary
The Director General of National Bio – Technology Development Agency ( NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha said the proposed amendment was unnecessary .
According to him , NABDA in particular and other relevant agencies have been carrying out the regulation being sought for in preventing consumption of toxic chemicals by Nigerians .
“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 .
Dismantling the proposed legislation from legal angle, 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 .
Even 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 ordinary members like Senator Nnachi Michael (PDP Ebonyi South) etc , kicked against the bill by saying that preponderance of views on the bill , will decide its fate.
***Reads riot act
Apparently piqued by the commotion caused by the alleged brutality of some top staff of the National Assembly on Friday by the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Clerk to the National Assembly(CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal has read the riot act to all security operatives in the complex.
He charged them to be civil in carrying out their duties at all times.
A statement signed by Birma Shuaibu Maina, Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development on behalf of the CNA pointed out that the top management of the National Assembly was aware of the unfortunate incident that happened on Friday, 17th May, 2024.
It further said the CNA and top management team visited Comrade Odo at the National Assembly Clinic and immediately called for an emergency meeting between the Management, Security Personnel and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) officials during which the “unfortunate incident” was deliberated upon and unanimously resolved as follows:
“That DSS and other Security operatives should work in harmony with the Sergeant-At-Arms.
“All security operatives within the National Assembly Complex should be civil in the discharge of their duties.
“All members of Staff should always display their I. D. cards for easy identification”.
Finally, the CNA and the top management appealed to the staff to be “calm, peaceful and law abiding as the situation is under control”.
It will be recalled that a face-off between the DSS and some staff of the National Assembly Friday, led to the brutalization of two senior staff of NASS leading to demonium at the complex
***Pays courtesy call on SMEDAN DG
The Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Thursday, made a strong case for the development of Local industries through creation of a market for local manufacturers rather than just training them in their existing skills.
She spoke when she met with the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, to make case for the growth of local factories and the manufacturing of made-in-Nigeria products.
The meeting, also attended by Senator Ede Dafinone, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, focused on developing local content, investing in local manufacturers, and strengthening homemade products to boost the economy and create jobs for youth.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the need to support local manufacturers and promote made-in-Nigeria products, highlighting the potential of local products like handwoven fabrics (popularly known as Kitipa in Ebira parlance), which can be used to produce shoes for military, paramilitary, and Corps members. This, she noted, would reduce importation and boost the economy.
“You cannot teach a local person how to make shea butter or black soap. They already know it. But what they need is market and access to finance.
“Local manufacturers need training on how to access markets and brand their products for international export. They already possess the skills, but need guidance on branding and marketing,” she stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan cited examples of successful international partnerships, such as the French cosmetics company L’occitane and Burkina Faso’s Shea butter industry, and Zara and Ethiopia’s cotton industry. She suggested that Nigeria could similarly partner with international brands like Prada or Louis Vuitton to boost its leather industry, creating revenue and downstream sectors.
The lawmaker criticised the government’s ‘50,000-era enterprise’ initiative, stating that it does not effectively support local industries.
She also emphasised the need for agencies like SON and NAFDAC to be more accessible and responsive to small-scale businesses.
By harnessing the local content of every part of the country, growing and strengthening it to produce in commercial quantity for local consumption and export, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan believes that Nigeria can create more jobs, reduce importation, and boost the economy.
In his remarks, the SMEDAN boss promised to create a viable market for local content industry by working closely with the National Assembly to encourage local manufacturers to boost the local products that are needed in the country and valued outside the shores of Nigeria.
The Senate has approved the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill to address the challenges facing the seven states in the geopolitical zone.
The approval came after the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the NWDC (Establishment).
The bill to establish the commission was sponsored by t
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and 20 other senators from the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone sponsored the bill to establish the commission
Chairman of the committee, Sen. Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central) moved the motion for the presentation and consideration of the report, while Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) seconded it.
Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Kaka pointed out that the intent and purpose of the bill are well structured and strategically streamlined for the socio-economic development of the North West geopolitical zone of the country.
He added that the commission’s establishment would bring the federal government closer to the North Western states and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
He, therefore, urged the Senate to pass the bill.
When the bill was put to vote by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, the senators unanimously supported it.
In his remarks, Senator Barau commended his colleagues for supporting the bill’s passage.
When established, he said the commission would address the challenges facing the geopolitical zone and, by extension, the country.
Describing the North West as the food basket of the country, he said the commission, when established, will work towards the restoration of infrastructure destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in the region.
” So if we are serious about ensuring we have food and for food security to be attained in this country, we must provide the necessary infrastructure for all our key sectors to thrive well.
“This commission is needed. I commend you all for supporting this; no one said no. Everybody supported this idea. So, now we are pushing the Bill to the House of Representatives for their approval and then to Mr President for assent,” he said.
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