The Federal Government plans to bridge all technology gaps to advance national development in the country through partnership with all agencies under the ministry, according to Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and technology.
The minister disclosed this when he featured at a forum organised by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. Engaging the agencies, especially the National Office for Technology and Acquisition Promotion (NOTAP), according to him, would fast-track development in the country.
“NOTAP is working very hard. We have the national technology acquisition promotion initiative. We are going to use that initiative to close technology gaps that we have in the country,” he said.
In closing the gaps, Onu noted, there will be various incentives to encourage participants. NOTAP, the ministry of trade and investment and the ministry of finance will be responsible for some of the incentives.
“These are incentives that will promise the company that come into Nigeria with the aim not only to make profits but also to transfer to allow Nigerians to acquire the technology,” said Onu.
The minister said the federal government, represented by the ministry, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASCO Foods Limited, Jos for commercial production of high nutrient density biscuits for the National School Feeding Programme.
The MoU, he explained, shows the federal government’s commitment in keeping to its campaign promise to provide quality education in the country.
Importantly, what the MoU provides, according to Ogbonnaya Onu, is a strategic guide for the collaboration between the ministry, Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIRO), Oshodi and Nasco Foods Limited, Jos, on commercial production of high nutrient density biscuits.
“The initiative was an innovation of FIRO for the National School Feeding Programme in the spirit of public private partnership (PPP) being promoted by the government.
“This is based on the realisation that an institute on its own cannot make the much desired impact without collaborating with relevant organisations.
“With this collaboration, jobs and wealth will be created, while the national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy.” said Onu.
The federal government chose to partner with NASCO Foods Limited on the project, Onu said, because of the company’s integrity and experience in the industry.
FRANK ELEANYA with agency report
