Trade Fair Exhibitors Charge FG On Indigenous Technology

Some exhibitors at the 25th Enugu International Trade Fair have appealed to the Federal Government to take practical steps to boost indigenous technology.
The participants told newsmen yesterday that the government could do so by injecting more funds into research to improve the technology.
Mrs Ifeoma Akagu, a director at the Project Development Institute, Enugu said the institute was yet to realise its mandate due to paucity of funds.
Akagu, who is the Director of Industrial Promotion, Information and Documentation, said the institute had the mandate to promote indigenous technology.
“Our mandate involves the promotion of indigenous private sector participation in manufacturing and industrial sectors.
“It also involves the development of capital goods to promote the growth of small and medium scale enterprises to substitute imports at prices and costs that local entrepreneurs can afford,” she said.
Akagu regretted that the fund given to the institute for its various projects was inadequate and hampered its activities.
“Most of the facilities we have were picked up at different locations after the civil war and they are obsolete.
“Our facilities have been dilapidated by landslide and erosion and we are supposed to build a factory, but no money,” she said.
Akagu said that the institute’s products were fashioned in line with local needs and international standards.
Akagu said that some of the products included insulated communal garri fryer, corn sheller, grinder, and ceramics utensils.
She appealed to the Federal Government to show more commitment to indigenous technological advancement with a view to creating jobs.
Mr Ogbonna Okoro, a lecturer/technologist at the department of electrical engineering in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka said that innovation required funds.
Okoro, who led the department’s delegation to the trade fair, said they needed sponsors and government assistance to explore the technological possibilities in the country.
“That is why we are here to exhibit our products. We appeal to the government to show more commitment to develop our environment,” he said.
Okoro said the department planned to produce electricity stabilisers, inventer and bio-diesel in commercial quantities.
“We can produce inventer at any range depending on the demand of the customer and also bio-diesel with used vegetable oil,” he said.
“The only way we can do it is to get sponsors. If the government can support indigenous technology, we have the capacity to improve our technological development,” Okoro said.