The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says it is committed to enhancing the transportability of data while upholding the highest standards of biosafety and security.
Dr Agnes Asagbra, Director-General of NBMA, gave the assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting on data transportability on Monday in Abuja.
“NBMA recognises the critical role that data plays in modern biosafety management, risk assessments to regulatory decision-making, the quality and reliability of data are paramount.’’
Asagbra underscored the importance of collaboration and dialogue in advancing collective efforts towards ensuring the safe and efficient transport of data within the biosafety domain.
“The African Union Development Agency – New Partners for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and other organisations came together to conduct a survey.
“The survey is to understand the barriers and potential enablers of biosafety data sharing especially from confined field trails for regulatory decision making.
“The result of which is why we are gathered here today; these will be used to support the development of regulatory tools and policy recommendations that will be of benefit to all of us in the biosafety space.
“By working together collaboratively; we can harness the power of data transportability to advance biosafety objectives and ensure a safer, healthier future for all,’’ she said.
On his part, Dr Rufus Ebegba the pioneer Director General, NBMA, said that the agency was a crucial agency in the development of the national system, a safety and enabler of economic growth.
“Data transportability is a prominent technology based on common scientific standards accepted globally,’’ he said.
Mrs Modupe Adeyemo, Principal Programme Officer AUDA-NEPAD, said that the group was committed to contributing to scientific knowledge.
She assured of continued contribution to modern biotechnology through synthetic biology, genome editing, data transportability, gene stacking and GM labelling amongst others. (NAN)