A top scientist in the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has called for the urgent creation of a science and technology park in the country that he said would stimulate and drive innovations which will serve to grow science and technology in Nigeria.
Scientist Alfred Kalu, who is of the Environmental Biotechnology and Bioconservation Department of the agency, made the call on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the park would be a place for all agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology and even private innovative institutions could come to exhibit their inventions for public view.
The scientist advised the technology park should be created in such a way that families could go and visit any time of the day, adding that it would make it possible for Nigerians to be aware of innovations of fellow citizens.
“This park can even go to inspire the young ones into inventing things that may be useful for the environment and will also go a long way to publicise some of the successes and breakthrough of Nigerian scientists.
“It may even expose scientists to international collaborations because most innovations made by Nigerians are viable and of economic benefit.
“The park will be a platform to bring all the research results from institutions and agencies in one place and this will spur healthy rivalry and competition among them.
Speaking on the research carried out in the bio-conservation department of NABDA, he said it had to do with converting household waste products into energy.
“The idea is for every household to be able to generate energy from the waste resource they produce, instead of the waste becoming a problem it should be turned to a useful economic resource.
“The challenge for us as a department is to modify, standardise it and give a price tag to it so that people can see if it is economically viable or not.
“We are hoping to collaborate with other agencies that are related to be able to build capacity in this area so that we can solve the energy problem in the country.
The scientist noted that establishing a science and innovation park would really help to promote the research of Nigerian scientists.
