April 22, (THEWILL) – Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, says the Presidential Executive Order 005 is to ensure that Nigeria acquires technologies that will help in positioning the nation towards self-sufficiency.
Dr Onu, who was speaking at a sensitisation workshop for staff of the Ministry on the full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No 5, in Abuja, described the Order as revolutionary.
He also said that the aim was to enable the ministry to contribute and transform the nation.
Giving the background to the Policy, the Minister explained that Nigeria still depends on expatriates for the turn-around maintenance of her refineries, because there was no enabling policy for home-grown professionals to understudy the foreigners and invariably become self-sufficient in using those technologies.
“Nigeria built her first refinery in Port Harcourt in the early ‘60s. Port Harcourt has two refineries – the first built by the Federal Government and the most modern – Kaduna has one and there is another in Warri”, he said.
Dr Onu further explained that because there was no Presidential Executive Order No 005 when these refineries were being built, Nigerian Engineers, Scientists and Professionals did not participate in the conception, design and construction of these refineries.
According to him, the effect on these refineries is much as a result of operation and even the turn-around maintenance.
“Very often we need foreigners to come and do maintenance for us, you can look at the ‘60s till now, this is about six decades”, he said.
Dr Onu stressed that Nigeria needs to create the right environment using policy and legal framework to ensure that Nigerian professionals participate and acquire these technologies for national development.
The essence of Executive Order No 005 is not just about procurement, Onu said, adding that Nigeria needs to acquire technologies that the country doesn’t have and be in a position to now build and reproduce those things that we import from other countries.
“So, we can attain self-sufficiency and be self-reliant. No great nation can maintain greatness without self-reliance.
“I want to tell Nigerians that using the key of Science, Technology and Innovation we can unlock the very big hub of opportunities for our people. If all sectors depend on science, technology and innovation, we will be able to solve our problems”, he added.
The Minister further expressed confidence that the appeal procedure would address the various complaints in all sectors of the economy.
He congratulated the National coordinator of the strategy implementation task office of the Presidential Executive Order No 005 and his team for their hard work, urging them to continue to work hard until the nation’s goal is achieved.
“We must look inwards. We must aim to be self-sufficient, to become self-reliant. This way, we can create enough jobs for our young people. This is what the nation needs”, he stressed.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Ministry’s New Permanent Secretary, Mrs Monisola Udoh, restated that in February 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari out of necessity, signed the Executive Order 5 into action for the promotion of the planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology for Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora including investors.
She reiterated that the order is, indeed, necessary and full implementation must be pursued.
“On assumption of office, I was inundated with the various achievements performed by the task office; most importantly the sensitisation of all Nigerians on the provisions of the order. This should not only be sustained, but improved upon”, she said.
Another highlight of the event was the induction of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, into the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Hall of Fame as Nigeria’s most labour-friendly Minister coupled with his superlative performance in office.
Speaking on behalf of ASURI President, Dr Nnamdi Onuka, Dr George Martins, said history has been recorded as the iconic Minister becomes the first inductee into it’s the Union’s Hall of Fame.
“We feel honoured that the Minister has accepted to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of ASURI as the first Minister in history to be inducted into this hall of fame. He is the most labour friendly Minister in the country and for the second time in 3 years”, he added.
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