We will establish raw materials resource centres in all states ― FG

THE Federal government is to establish Raw Materials Resource and Information Centers in all the 33 states of the federation with a view to increasing the contribution of the industrial sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this during the commissioning of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council headquarters phase II and Raw Materials Resources and Information Center in Abuja.

According to him, the centre modelled like a museum will help in the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises which will contribute to the diversification of the economy and create jobs.

He called on the Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Husseni Ibrahim to make the Resource Center a hub of attraction to students in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in order to inspire them to become scientists and engineers.

Dr Onu, therefore, charged research agencies to do further research by taking raw materials from their natural state to products where they could make money, especially in the area of agriculture and solid minerals so that Nigeria will not continue to rely on oil and gas.

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The minister added that the commissioned RMDC headquarters Phase 11 would provide accommodation for staff enabling them to function properly and also enhance their productivity. He noted that everything in the Resource Center is done to strengthen the relationship with the private sector because they drive the economy all over the world.

In his remark, the Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Husseni Ibrahim noted that it has become more profitable to produce what Nigerians consume and consume what Nigerians produce to make any meaningful development of the dear country to take place.

According to him, many manufacturers today have over this period become conversant with adding value to raw materials thereby saving the nation billions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings. This is due to information available and at the disposal of the Nigerian manufacturers of raw materials.