Etta Michael Bisong
Abuja
As part of efforts to diversify and salvage the dwindling economy from the fall in international oil prices, the Federal Government has outlined series of strategies would ensure the creation of no fewer than 25,000 jobs annually from the biotechnology sector in Nigeria.
Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NABMA), Sir Rufus Ebegba, who outlined the plans in a circular made available to Blueprint said modern biotechnology under legal biosafety regime had great potential to develop products, materials and living systems that could be used to expand the economy, particularly in the areas such as agriculture.
The DG explained that the direct and indirect jobs would be created along the value chain of biotechnology products, which is being regulated by the biosafety Agency in the country.
Ebegba hinted that analysis already concluded indicates that about 25,000 jobs could be generated annually through modern biotechnology development in Nigeria.
According to him, “With a well-regulated biotechnology sector, up to 25,000 jobs can be created annually and this will increase with time because more biotechnology products will be made available in the market and activities will be more. Job creation is critical in this sector.”
The NBMA helmsman noted that, with an agency in place to regulate the sector, the biotech industry would be more vibrant.
“You now have people who will be employed in the biotech industry,” he said. “The companies are in place, doing research, producing genetically modified organisms and deploying the technology. So along the line, there will be increased direct and indirect employment through the distribution chain of biotechnology products.
“Also, more labs will be established. We can now produce more food for our domestic consumption and for export. The Agency will also be generating revenue through permits and licensing charge.”
Observing that the Nigerian textile industry was in comatose Dbecause of inadequate quantity of locally produced cotton to drive the textile industry, the DG noted that countries like Burkina Faso had recorded success stories in producing genetically modified cottons that were resistant to insects.
Ebegba equally disclosed that Nigeria was now ready to deploy modern biotechnology in achieving food security, safely.
“We are looking at the situation where we have food in abundance in the Nigerian system. Now you can have improved crops, improved animals and other organisms; you develop new plants that can have higher productivity, and are disease and pest resistant and herbicides tolerant. So, with such stress on crops being reduced, you discover that these crops will attain their full potential,” he said.
