Students’ body representing over 40.1 million students under the umbrella of National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has called on both the National Assembly and the House of Representatives, to as matter of urgency pass the Bill seeking for the establishment of National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT) Zaria.
NANS made the call during a courtesy visit to the Research Institute on Thursday, 22 of December 2023, noting further that “alot of opportunities are available to place Nigeria amongst advanced countries of the world and as such, a Bill of such magnitude should not be delayed lawmakers of both chambers ably led by the Senate president, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajamiabila who are themselves progressives”.
It could be recalled that democracy advocacy group under the umbrella of Partnership for Legislative Agenda, (PLAN) also made similar call in Abuja last week, citing opportunities available in the chemical industry.
The bill which was initiated by the House of Representatives Member, Jos East/South constituency, Hon. Musa Dacchung Bagos, and Senator at the National Assembly, distinguished Senator Umar Sadiq, according to the first Pioneer Secretary of NANS Comrade Usman Baba Kanika, will enhance productivity and give Nigeria an edge to compete with other advanced countries like Singapore in the production of chemicals and petrochemical products.
He said, “the effort of the Jos south/Jos East Federal House of Representatives member, Hon. Musa Dacchung Bagos and Senator representing kwara North Zone, Senator Umar Sadiq towards sponsoring this bill is commendable and should be applauded.
“This bill intends to develop the nation and place Nigeria amongst the top advanced countries in chemical research. The Institute which this Bill seeks to establish, will provide a globally competitive and environmentally friendly research and innovation in the processing and conversion of indigenous raw materials into valuable chemicals and petrochemical products for the development of chemical, biochemical and man-made fibre technologies for industrial applications in Nigeria.
Enumerating the benefits of conducting chemical research in Nigeria on the economy, the student body maintained that very soon Nigeria will no longer be importing certain basic chemicals which the country has comparative advantage in producing them but will be exporting like the advanced economies of the world.
“Very soon, Nigeria will be at par with countries like Singapore and others in the production of chemicals and petrochemical products which are essential to our lives and living such as ethylene, benzene, medical resins popularly used in medical and pharmaceutical companies, medical plastics, preservatives for our vast agricultural produce and a host of others” the group added.
Commending NASS for their efforts during the first reading of the Bill, NANS called for more funding to NARICT to enable it deliver in its mandate as the world leading Institute for chemical research.
“While we commend the first reading of the Bill on the floor of the House of Representatives, we call on other senators to emulate senator Umar and Hon. Bagos to ensure this bill is passed successfully without further delay as it will help us as nation for global competition in research and development.” NANS added.
NANS equally called on the office of the head of service to grant approval to the Institute to recruit more specialised staffs in readiness for the task ahead as soon as the Bill establishing it is passed into law and more funding made available, insisting that “a world class Institute like NARICT requires world class scholars and researchers”
