Minister moves to enhance made in Nigeria goods

By Binta Shama Abuja

In a bid to change the economy from resource-based to knowledge-based and innovation driven, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has inaugurated a committee that would fast track a synergy among Nigerian scientist/ entrepreneurs to produce competitive raw materials and products.

Th e Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who stated this while inaugurating the National Consultative Committee for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development in Nigeria in Abuja yesterday, said the initiative was developed to reposition the country on the path of sustainable economic development.

“All over the world, countries that pay suffi cient attention to scientifi c research development and innovation emerged as great nations. Such nations have been able to sustain their independence, develop their economy, protect their environment and guarantee their security for the happiness of the citizens,” Onu stated.

In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Balema Wakama discussed the terms of reference to include, among others, upholding the fundamental principles of the national strategy on competitiveness and its implementation.

“Th e committee should ensure the immediate establishment of project implementation desk offi ce (PIDO) in the respective MDAs and establishments, advising on the annual work programs, budgets and procurement plans of the implementing agencies components.

“Reviewing progress on project implementation, presenting progress report on projects implementation to the federal executive council through the Chairman (HFMST) and identifying and removing constraint factors to project implementation on a timely basis,” she concluded. While urging the committee to put in their best, the Perm Sec who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Udoh Ekanem, said the ministry would continue to support every activity towards the realization of lofty objective of the committee,

“which is meant to take the country out of recession and move towards global competitiveness in raw materials and products development in Nigeria.” Earlier in his remark, the Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Dr Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, while commending the committee, stated that eff ective coordination of linkage between researchers and entrepreneurs and industries/ business is critically not only towards our improved productivity but also for the national objectives.

“Global Competitiveness in one thing that Nigeria cannot achieve without the competitiveness strategy that is tailored towards reducing importation, encouraging local content and diversifying the revenue base of the country,” he noted

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