The federal government has called on engineers to put more effort in research and development activities that results to innovations, inventions and adoption of indigenous technology.
The permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mahmuda Mamman stated this yesterday, in Abuja at the 44th conference of directors of electrical and mechanical engineering departments of Ministries of Works and Housing with the theme: “Economic emancipation achievable through application of home grown technology.”
According to him, this process will prove to the nation that indeed engineering professionals are ready to propel the country into economic emancipation through technical advancement.
He said, “Nigeria needs an economic growth model that can generate sufficient jobs for her huge population and also be inclusive enough to significantly curb poverty. History have shown us that such viable economic growth model is only achieved through technological innovations.
“The immense benefits of technical innovations cannot be denied having proven over the decades to be a convenient, life saving, faster and easier route to carrying out day to day tasks and solving a plethora of problems.
“The diversification agenda and national economic sustainability plan of the present administration are aimed at repositioning Nigeria to bounce back better and stronger from the ravaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, move our economy from one that is almost wholly resource based to an economy that is knowledge based and innovation driven towards reclaiming the nation’s pride of place among the comity of nations realizing the great hopes and aspirations of our founding fathers at independence.’’
“These are commendable plans by Nigerian government towards economic emancipation and sustainability but more needs to be done.”
To this end, the permanent secretary maintained that engineers can come up with more innovative ideas that can led to the production of marketable home grown products to reduce over dependence on foreign made products.
Earlier, the conference chairman, Engr Felix Ebuzoeme, said that the 44th conference of directors of electrical and mechanical engineering department in the Ministries of Works and Housing in the federation is an annual event where papers on a selected theme are presented and deliberated upon for the acceleration of the country’s development.
