Technology: Agency generates N280 billion, promises to do more

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for saving about N280 billion for the nation through its mandate.

Speaking when he paid a facility visit to the organisation, on Tuesday, Barrister Abdullahi appealed to NOTAP to strive to do more, saying the country needed its services at this critical point in time.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Senior Information Officer (SIO), MaryamZakari, on behalf of Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) and made available to Tribune Online in Abuja.

Barrister Mohammed further charged the NOTAP to handle its duties with much discretion and professional decorum, especially the business of registering contracts for the transfer of foreign technology.

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He also charged the management to ensure that the country is not made a dumping ground of all sort of technologies, especially countries that have a trademark of producing third-rated products.

The minister called on NOTAP to help in transforming the countries technology as well as stimulate the economic activities of the country.

Barrister Mohammed further advised that NOTAP should use the patents generated by its services in order to improve the country’s economy so as to ensure employment opportunities for our youths.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mohammed Bello Umar, said his coming to NOTAP was an eye-opener giving the efforts made by the agency in fortifying its current structure and also expressed satisfaction with what had been achieved with little resources.

Earlier, the Director-General, NOTAP, Professor Dan-Azumi Mohammed Ibrahim, thanked the minister and the Permanent Secretary for the visit and assured them of renewed commitment in achieving the mandate of the organisation.