Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State (2nd right), Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro (right) and others, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Congress in Asaba, recently.

The Minister of Science
and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, said the federal government would use science and technology to diversify the Nigerian economy.
Speaking during a visit to Bioresources Development Centre (BIODEC) Odi, Bayelsa State, Dr Onu, pointed out that technology was critical to economic development, adding that government had adopted technology to achieve economic progress.
He expressed optimism that the centre would be a catalyst for the development of the Niger Delta region as it had capacity for quick technology transfer to rural dwellers and peasant farmers to increase agricultural yields.
“No nation achieves development without science and technology and Nigeria cannot be an exception, the federal government has adopted science and technology to achieve economic diversification and progress.
“I am happy with the progress being made at this Bioresources Development Centre in Odi and it is going to be a model for other centres across the country to ensure food security.
“The centre is showcasing the results of research and applying it for the benefit of the communities who will benefit by transferring technology to improve on yields and create wealth for the people,” Onu said.
Onu explained that the centre had achieved success in grass cutter breeding, snail farming, aquaculture, mushroom technology transfer and plant tissue culture technology amongst others.
Speaking earlier, Mr Josiah Habu, who conducted the minister and top officials round various units of the centre applauded the dedication of staff at the centre and appealed for special allowances to motivate them for greater productivity.
“The work you see here today is not the sole doing of any one of us in particular but the contributory effort of all staff with the support of the agency and the ministry.
“We plead that the Honourable Minister considers our plea for a Rural Duty Allowance in order to motivate staff who have left the big cities to come to the rural areas and develop them to city standards for the grass roots,” Habu said.
The minister was accompanied by Prof. Lucy Ogbadu Director-General of National Biotechnology Development Agency who reinforced the request for Rural Duty Allowance for the staff.