This Act, consisting of 36 articles, divided into seven Parts, provides for the establishment of the National Biotechnology Development Agency; the development of public awareness in biotechnology; increasing private sector participation in biotechnology industry. Part I concerns the establishment of the Agency, the membership of the Board and its powers and functions. Part II concerns the functions of the Agency, including: carrying out research activities on biotechnology in the following strategic areas for the national development: food, agriculture, health, industry, environment; encouraging capacity building in all aspects of biotechnology; promoting strategic investment in biotechnology research and development, to support innovation and economic development; ensuring sustainable mechanism for adequate funding of biotechnology activities; promoting sustainable utilisation of biological resources and developing novel products, to improve the production of the country’s indigenous plants and animals; promoting the exploration, collection, identification, evaluation, storage and conservation of the stock of animal, plant and microbes genetic materials; struggle against the loss of country’s crop and animal genetic resources, caused by intensive cultivation, urbanisation, grazing, desertification, pest outbreak and national catastrophes. Further Parts concern the definition of the structure of the Agency, including the departments, the specialised centres; the staff of the Agency and its duties; fund of the Agency; legal proceedings; Ministerial power to make Regulations.
نيجيريا · 2022-03-08