ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, says it is set for the production of vehicle spare parts, as part of efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy.
Henry Ikoh, Minister of Science and Technology (State), disclosed this on Friday in Enugu during an official visit to the institute.
Ikoh said that the production of the motor spare parts would be in partnership with INNOSON Group of Companies, a Nigerian vehicle manufacturing company.
The minister also said that Nigeria had both the manpower and the resources to explore such possibility.
He, however, said that the political will to venture into such area over the years seemed to be lacking.
He said that the current administration was keen to encourage PRODA and other research institutes to patent and commercialise their research outcomes.
According to the minister, such move would ensure job creation for the youths, adding that PRODA had the capacity to excel in that area.
Ikoh said the ministry intends to use the remaining period of the current administration to place PRODA on a strong footing to achieve the mandate.
“We are looking for low hanging fruits in order to leave a legacy between now and March 2022.
“As a country, we do not need to import everything we use. We should be able produce certain types of machines and equipment for our industries,” he said.
Ikoh said that in spite of the breakthroughs that PRODA had made, “where they are today is not where they are supposed to be.
“We need to come up with the relevant laws and legislations to enable them achieve more in the interest of the country,” Ikoh said.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of PRODA, Mr. Peter Ogbobe, noted that the institute was at the forefront of repositioning the Nigerian economy.
Ogbobe said that the research and development mandates of the institute had seen it impact positively on all the geopolitical zones of the country.
“Our focus on primary processing and value addition have contributed remarkably to the reduction of poverty and youth restiveness in the country,” he said.