The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Abdu Bulama, has urged stakeholders in the sector to support the country in the promotion of knowledge-based economy driven by innovation.
Bulama made this known at the inauguration of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in Abuja on Tuesday.
He commended NBRRI’s development initiatives, adding that the occasion would provide a platform to enlist seasoned professionals in advisory capacity in the business of building and road research.
“The committee is made up of an array of seasoned and experienced experts from environment, professional regulatory bodies and industry due to their immense contributions to the field of research.
“This will fully enhance the research and develop capacity in the building industry and promote local content in the Nigerian construction industry,” he said.
He, however, called for support to compliment the initiative of President Goodluck Jonathan toward improving the economic development of the country in the area of science and technology.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, urged NBRRI to strive harder toward addressing other critical issues that were begging for solution in the road and building sector.
She said the ministry would continue to support the efforts of NBRRI and other agencies under it.
“The support is the only way to show to the world that science, technology and innovation environment in Nigeria is vibrant and functional.
“Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is positive that this research document will go a long way toward reducing the deaths we experience on our roads on a daily basis.
Prof. Danladi Matawal, NBRRI Director-General, said the committee was saddled with the responsibilities of looking into research and development issues in the country.
Matawal urged the committee to take advantage of the wealth of experience, academic, technical and industrial works of other experts in the field.
He further urged the committee to sustain a high level of research so as to be comparable to global standards.
“The committee is obliged to provide alternative procedures and suggest solutions for solving problems and challenges in research,” Matawal said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NBRRI advisory technical committee is made up of 11 members.
They were Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Prof. R.I Salawu, Prof. T.A Akeju, Prof. T.M. Oguara, Prof. Usman Zubairu, Prof. Natalie Anigbogu, Dr Samson Duma, and Prof. Ola Ogunsote.
The others were Dr Baba Gana, a member from Metallurgical and Materials Department of the ministry and a member from Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria. (NAN)
