By Faridat Salifu
In a bid to mitigate the risks associated with the development and deployment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) of Nigeria has entered into a collaborative partnership with the German Government.
The partnership was announced during a recent training session on risk assessment within biosafety management that was held in Abuja on Monday.
The session was attended by NBMA Director-General Dr. Agnes Asagbra and Mr Hermann Broll, Chief Scientific Officer at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
The collaboration aims to enhance knowledge exchange and collective capacity in anticipating, evaluating, and mitigating potential risks associated with biotechnologies, GMOs, and other relevant applications.
Dr. Asagbra said, “This partnership signifies a milestone in our commitment to ensuring the safety of human and animal health, plant life, environmental sustainability, and the integrity of scientific endeavors.”
Mr. Broll, on the other hand, highlighted the institute’s role in risk assessment and management related to GMOs.
He emphasized the importance of knowing the constituents of consumer products, especially in the context of food allergies.
He stressed the need for thorough risk assessment and communication with consumers to ensure their safety.
The collaboration between the Nigerian Biosafety Agency and the German Government marks a significant step towards strengthening risk assessment processes and safeguarding public safety and environmental integrity in the field of GMO development.