By Obas Esiedesa
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can further be increased through the application of Science, Technology and Innovation to the natural resources and products abundant across the country.
Dr. Onu stated this when he received the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang in his office in Abuja.
A statement by the Ministry’s Director Press, Mr. Abdulganiyu Aminu said the Ministry has enunciated policies like the Executive Order 05, which is centered on giving preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts.
The policy, the Minister added, placed premium on the use of indigenous professionals and firms in the design and execution of projects involving national security.
Onu also added that the National Strategy for Competiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria was designed to provide a permanent strategic framework to help the country overcome the burden of a mono-product economy.
He said the policy targeted at enhancing national capacity, to produce globally acceptable quality raw materials, products, and services as a way to achieve self-reliance.
Dr. Onu further said that the Federal Government will continue to support the development of Artisanal Refineries (Modular Refineries), as this will help the country to generate more revenue, benefit more from the by-products of crude oil and develop the manufacturing capacity.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger-Delta affairs, Senator. Eta Enang said the purpose of the working visit is to partner with the Ministry to ensure that Modular Refineries are reintegrated into the mainstream refineries for the benefit of the country.
According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to pay subsidies on petroleum importation, rather it has to be done locally, to reduce foreign exchange and import duties.
