By Comfort Olayinka
A significant step towards harnessing Nigeria’s technological potential was taken as a Bill to establish the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Hon. Clement Jimbo, aims to leverage Nigeria’s vast population to create jobs, process raw materials, and boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Jimbo, the Bill’s primary objective is to ensure regular value addition to Nigeria’s solid mineral exploration, creating sustainable jobs for the nation’s youth.
The lawmaker emphasized that the Bill would also increase the country’s revenue base through foreign exchange.
Speaking with the press after the plenary session on Wednesday,Jimbo highlighted the staggering number of foreign products in use in Nigeria, including over 200 million cell phones, 500,000 solar systems, and 12 million cars.
He noted that these products rely on batteries, which are primarily made from lithium, a solid abundant mineral in Nigeria.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, has expressed support for the Bill, stating that the government would discourage the exportation of solid minerals without value addition.
The proposed Bill has no financial implications when passed into law, and Jimbo urged for its speedy passage to improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Minister of Solid Mineral, Mr Dele Alake said ‘we will do everything possible to discourage the carting away of our solid minerals without value addition’ this statement is in sync with the intendment of this Bill Mr. Speaker,” he said.
