By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has said to monitor and ensure a proper utilisation of funds from international partners and other donor agencies for the development of the science and technology in the country.
Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of the committee on Thursday in Abuja.
He said “Our committee will assess intervention needs and the utilisation of funds from international partners, donor agencies, and grantees in the STI sector. We will work to ensure improved utilization of grants for the sector’s benefit”
Giving details of the committees work Bagos said “We will engage with relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, agencies under the ministry, and Nigerian experts in STI living in the diaspora. These sessions will help us identify areas of legislative intervention and enhance our oversight functions.
“Through oversight visits, we will ascertain compliance and implementation levels of the 2023 Appropriation Act, ensuring prudent utilization of resources allocated to the ministry and its agencies”
He further affirmed that “a study tour will be organized to learn from the legislative committees on STI in select nations, aiming to enhance our knowledge and apply international best practices in maximising Nigeria’s STI potentials.”
“We will host a retreat bringing together major stakeholders in STIs to synergise on tapping the vast STI potentials for economic diversification and national development.
According to the Chairman, nitiatives will be developed to discourage brain drain and utilize the potentials of Nigerian youths in the STI sector for national development.
