Gene Bank: Nigeria may lose foreign benefits

There is an indication Nigeria might lose a capacity building and other technical support it has been enjoying from one of its major international supporters in the standard development of its gene banks that are meant to protect and preserve our improved seed varieties for future food security.

Food Farm News gathered from a reliable source that a team of experts from a reputable international organization name withheld will be on Monday 7th in Nigeria to re- ratify the country for another window of economic opportunity that their satisfactory inspection of the available facilities would determine our being ratified for more economic window opportunity.

Our source who wants to remain anonymous said the team would be in Abuja on next week Monday to likely see the Minister, but must definitely visit the Director General of the Agency ( National Biotechnology Development Agency) supervising the National Center for Genetic Research and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) before embarking on their mission to Ibadan, Oyo state for facility inspection and recommendations.

Our source explained there is uncertainty about what would actually happen on the ratification, but opined Nigeria stands the chance of being re- ratified because of her improvement in the gene banks development in the recent time which actually had facilitated her first ratification by the international organization.

The source complained of low funding of the centre cum delay in the release of funds for major capital projects which has neccitiated why the nation must not lose any international organization's support.

All efforts to get the NACGRAB director 's view proved abortive at the time of filing this story.