The Federal Government plans to intensify effort toward developing and harnessing potentials of technology to advance national development.
Dr Mohammed Bello, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders meeting.
The meeting was on the development of Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) Science and Technology Park project.
Bello noted that efforts toward improving technology would rise socio-economic development of the country.
He said development of the park would eliminate extreme poverty, develop global partnerships for development, facilitate acquisition of knowledge, encourage and promote innovative enterprises and mechanism to develop local technologies.
The permanent ssecretary added that the park would also promote effort toward production of globally competitive scientific goods.
“A science and technology park consists of a supporting infrastructure for the establishment of knowledge-based enterprises in a location linked to a centre of technological excellence, a University or Research Institute.
“Focus of SHESTCO Science and Technology Park project are amorphous and crystalline Silicon-based solar cells, organic and dye-sensitised cells, production of Silicon-based chips, applications software development, Nanotechnology/Materials Science and Biotechnology,” he said.
The Acting Director-General of SHESTCO, Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, said the achievements on the park project included a business plan produced by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oganisation (UNESCO).
“A west African Region Workshop on `Enhancing the Knowledge and Skill of STI Expert’ to develop business plans for the establishment of STI PARK, held in Kaduna in Nov. 2015.
“FMST, Abuja has signed an agreement with Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL) to come into the SHESCO Science and Technology Park as the first tenant.
“The Council of Entrepreneur for Africa (COEFA) of Canada has also indicated interest in coming into the park. The FMST has signed an MoU in collaboration with COEFA.
“Preliminary talks are on between SHESTCO and COEFA on how the later can help commercialise the production of prodigiosen, the anti-cancer drug in SHESTCO,” he said.
Mr Anpe Fut, the Acting Director of Technology Acquisition and Adaptation, FMST, said there was need to fence the entire complex, which together with its associated Science and Technology Park, presently covering 395 hectares.
“In order to provide a conducive environment for Research and Development to flourish, there is the need to place the Complex on high priority power supply line from the National Grid.
“The greatest challenge is the insufficient budgetary to SHESTCO.
“There is the urgent need for improved budget to the complex to maintain the existing facilities and update them to be able to operate at the level expected of the complex,” he said.