NBMA trains regulators on risk assessment of genetically modified organisms

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in conjunction with the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) is to train regulators on risk analysis for the general release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to expose them to global best practices.
Director-General of the NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, at a workshop in Abuja, said the  event was to encourage and build adequate capacity among Africans to be able to handle GMOs effectively.
A statement from the agency stated that over 40 participants were drawn from six African countries which include the host country, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Burkina Faso and a team of facilitators from South Africa, Australia, Kenya and Italy. Ebegba said the workshop further pointed at the value of coordination between experts and regulators in pursuing safety in the release of genetically modified organisms.
“Although we are relatively young in this area, we are nevertheless very vibrant and are giving Nigeria and the rest of Africa hope in analysing the risks and safety measures involved for the general release of GMOs for commercial purposes,” he said.