FG, AAD to bolster economy with model tech park
By Sylvester Thompson
In an effort to encourage the use of STI to boost entrepreneurship and economic development, the Federal Government courtesy of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation(STI), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Across Atlantic Development(AAD), United Kingdom through the Public Private Partnership(PPP), for the development and establishment of a model science and technology park.
The Model Science Park and Tech Museum would be developed and established at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in Abuja.
At the signing of the MoU, Dr Adeleke Mamora, Minister of STI emphasized on the necessity and urgency of the implementation with a pledge to monitor and track the progress of the project even after leaving office.
The Minister said: “I must commend the initiative and efforts of Across Atlantic Development UK for this project in seeing that Nigeria has become a hub of Africa in areas of STI to compete with developed countries in the world.’’
He disclosed that Across Atlantic was a global organization working with its network of member companies and other partners to build a just and sustainable world, which spans across Europe, Africa and North America.
Mamora further stated that Across Atlantic Development developed sustainable business strategies and solutions to global issues through dedicated research advocacy, campaigns, consultations and collaborations with respect to Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr David Apollos, CEO of the AAD explained that the project would transform Nigeria into an innovation hub of Africa where technological equipment and machines would be manufactured for domestic purposes.
According to him, the science park was a multi-million-dollar project that would move Nigeria forward via STI, adding that 90 per cent of funding for the project had been obtained, with the EU providing over 70 per cent.
Apollos assured that the project would achieve the desired goals with a certainty that Nigeria would become a centre of science and innovation. –
After the signing of the MoU, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the foundation laying of the science and technology park at SHESTCO.
At the ceremony, Mamora, the STI minister said the ministry had been championing the establishment of Science and Technology Parks since 2006.
The Model Science and Technology Park is to be replicated by State Governments, Universities, the Private Sector and other interested organisations in the country’’, he said.
The Minister stressed that more needed to be done in the area of STI to achieve desired goals, that there was need to improve on business, industry and service driven research and development capacity and capability of the country.
“The Science and Technology Park programme has ben globally celebrated as one of the essential tools that have tremendously transformed the developmental landscape of the nations that embrace it.
“In an area where knowledge and free market are the main engines of development, science and technology park is needed to form the base for industrial competitiveness of a developing economy like us’’, Mamora said.
Mr Henry Ikoh, Minister of State for STI, aligning his words with Dr Mamora, said the importance of STI in Nigeria was a key element of micro, small and medium scale enterprises strategy and action.
Ikoh claimed that the establishment and management of science and technology parks in the country would facilitate the evolution and commercialization of inventions, innovations and technologies to be patronized.
“Technology and Innovation can drive a new initiative that will help grow and diversify our economy,’’ Ikoh said.
Mr Philip Ajudua, Senator representing FCT, called for participatory cooperation in levels of employment and said the community should be fully engaged in the project.
Ajudua said the world had become a global village and Nigeria must follow suit in the area of STI, adding that the project should be kickstarted in order to put Nigeria on the pedestal of prosperity.
Similarly, Beni Lar Chairman, Senate Committee on STI prayed that the park should be a replica of the one in the United Kingdom.
Lar expressed optimism that with the establishment of the park, it would assist Nigeria export research outcomes around the world.
