SHESTCO Urges Better Power for Research Advancement
The Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) has urged stakeholders in the power sector to address the issue of unreliable power supply in order to enhance research and development in the country.
Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, the Director-General of SHESTCO, conveyed this message during an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
Onyenekwe emphasized that research institutes and manufacturing industries require a consistent electricity supply to operate their equipment effectively and achieve optimal results.
He pointed out that significant improvements are still needed in the power sector, as the current erratic power supply hampers the activities of research institutes and industries.
“Power supply is the central point of all activities in research institutes or industries. Without power, one will have to use a generator but we cannot be using generator as there are some sensitive equipment that you are not supposed to switch off.”
“The solar source of power as an alternative energy cannot be used effectively for research activities as it cannot go for longer hours, especially during the rainy season,” he said
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Onyenekwe also praised the Federal Government for appointing Chief Uche Nnaji as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, noting that the minister is enhancing the sector to benefit Nigeria’s economy.
He mentioned that SHESTCO has recently advanced its research in innovative technology, particularly in Agro machinery and the production of a diagnostic machine for detecting malaria parasites.
The Director-General also urged the National Assembly to reconsider the National Research and Innovation Fund Bill to strengthen the sector.
He stated that if the bill became law, it would address the challenges in the science, technology, and innovation sectors by boosting research and development activities in the country.
“The major problem in the Science, Technology, and Innovation sector is the funding. The National Research and Innovation Fund which had been passed by the National Assembly severally was never assented to.”
“The bill, when passed into law, would go a long way to address problems of the research institutes in the country.
“As TETFUND is presently addressing funding challenges in the universities, National Research and Innovation Fund will address funding and also take care of innovators,” Onyenekwe said.
