As part of efforts to fast-track industrialization and sustainable development, the Federal Government has approved a National Policy on welding and welding-related fields.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr (Sen.) Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora,
revealed the policy approval at the North-West zonal dialogue between the government and stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem on the Establishment and Implementation of Technology and Innovation Centres (TICs) in Kano.
Represented by the Director Chemical Technology Department and the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, Mr MEJ Bassey said the policy
will arrest the present situation where many Nigerians have to outsource welding jobs due to the emphasis placed on foreign welding certification.
He stated that the recently approved policy is in line with the implementation of Presidential Executive Order NO.5 which will boost local content in production.
Mamora, however, enjoined the participants to identify other important areas for effective regulation, credible certification and accreditation, to achieve the country’s goal.
This he added, will give the desired credence to Nigeria’s certification and accreditation outcomes.
Dr Mamora said that through the dialogues, the country can develop an effective and sustainable strategic framework for wealth and job creation, as well as prosperity for all its citizens.
The Minister further enumerated some benefits of the innovation centres to include, including “Provision of an enabling environment for Emergence of Tech Giants, Increase in performance of Researchers, Peer Review of Researchers for effectiveness, Learning of new approaches to research through interaction, increase in Patents, Platform for the presentation of results of Reverse Engineering, Innovative discoveries and Inventions, Emergence of commercial Research and Development Companies, improved Research Funding through Grants from businessmen and Industrialist, Provision of Venture Capital from Commercial Banks.
