Federal Govt, Czech Republic Disburse $21.7m To Beneficiaries Of Delta 2 Projects

The federal government in collaboration with the government of Czech Republic has disbursed a total of $21.7 million fund to 11 selected beneficiaries of the Delta 2 projects to commence the implementation of the project aimed to boost technology transfer to Nigeria.

During the award ceremony and signing of agreements for the implementation of the projects in Abuja yesterday, the executive vice chairman of National Agency for Science Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI) Khalil Halilu, in his remarks said the projects will deepen bilateral collaboration between the federal government and The Czech Republic, represented by NASENI and the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR), respectively.

The Delta-2 Programme is the cooperation model of the Technology Agency of Czech Republic TA CR, through which TA CR sponsors applied research and innovation of manufacturing companies and innovative institutions.

According to the NASENI boss, this Delta 2 programme launched in 2021, has been designed with the aim of funding and enabling research, development and innovation projects in three focus areas; namely Agriculture, Mining, and General Manufacturing for SMEs.

He added that of the $21.7 million set aside to finance selected projects; TA CR is contributing $11.7 million while NASENI is contributing $10 million. Halilu said further that the “Delta 2 Programme is yet another manifestation of NASENI’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, through sustained focus on the 3Cs of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation.

“Ultimately, our goal is not just to produce prototypes and models, but to ensure that these are taken to market; that they are available commercially for consumers and end-users to benefit from.”

He assured that for every N1 that NASENI will be investing into this phase of the Delta-2 programme, to develop these new projects and products, almost N6 will be realised in commercial returns.

“This is in addition to the jobs that will be created, and the capacity building and technology transfer,” he said, stressing that NASENI will continue to leverage technology and talent to deliver returns that benefit Nigeria on multiple levels.

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the massive opportunities adding that the funds should be deployed as intended, with a sense of service and responsibility.

Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer and Information between Nigeria and Czech Republic, Dr. Muhammed Dahiru, in his remarks noted that the project was made possible as a result of the current bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Czech Republic since the 15th May, 2014.

He said “It is noteworthy that the distribution of the beneficiaries of the awards spans across the country, having all zones represented. The funds are ready and we eagerly look forward to starting implementation in January 2024. The funding of the projects is scheduled to last between 12 to 36 months.

“The outputs of the projects are expected to yield patents, pilot plants, proven technologies, software, certified methodologies, processes and specialised maps, and databases, among others. It is expected that the outcomes of the various projects will have a direct and immediate positive impact on the average Nigerian farmers, miners and MSME operators,” he said.

During his remarks, the minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji lauded the commitment of NASENI for the implementation of the project, even as urged the beneficiaries to make full use of it for the betterment of the country.