Scientists Advocate Moribund Equipment Revitalisation, Maintenance

The Director-General (DG), Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NILST), Mr. Yemi Gbadegesin, has called for revitalisation and maintenance of moribund science laboratory and research equipment across Nigeria.
Gbadegesin made the call at a two-day zonal capacity strengthening workshop for Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) professionals, which was organised by NILST in Ibadan.
The workshop, which was on instrumentation and maintenance of digitised modern equipments, was organised for SLT professional representatives across six geo-political zones in Nigeria.
Gbadegesin said the impact of maintenance of laboratory equipments cannot be over emphasised, sequel to its importance in enhancing the quality of data and information in achieving needed optimum national productivity.
He said the objective of the capacity building was to improve the skills of SLT professionals in equipment maintenance, selection and preventive maintenance, among others.
He noted that regular maintenance of science and laboratory equipment would positively affect the standard of production in Nigerian industries and learning institutions laboratory.
He called for revitalisation of moribund science laboratory equipment maintenance centres that were established in 2007 across all geo-political zones in Nigeria to have functioning ones that could service laboratories in Nigeria.
Gbadegesin reiterated the need for training and retraining for laboratory staff across the country, particularly on how to operate laboratory equipment and perform basic maintenance to prolong lifespan of those available.
He urged government to create an enabling environment and support laboratory research for the nation to achieve its goals in science, technology and innovation.
The Director, Education, Training and Inspectorate, NISLT, Mr Peter Oluwafisoye, in his lecture, said SLT professionals must prepare to be involved in laboratory policy formulation.
According to him, this will help to influence meaningful decisions in equipment maintenance in the country.
“Maintenance of laboratory equipments would be easier only when SLT professionals are involved in procurement of such equipment,” he said.
A member of the SLT Council and South-South representative at the training, Mrs Comfort Alagoa, called for synergy among research institutions, government and industries.
This, she said, would give the appropriate policy makers the opportunity to implement concluded research and laboratory works.