HOR: Bill To Establish NCTTAP Passes 2nd Reading

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion.

The proposed commission, when established, will monitor the inflow of foreign products and technology into the country.

The sponsor of the bill, Member, representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Clement Jimbo, emphasized that the legislation aims to leverage Nigeria’s large population to create jobs for youths, process raw materials into finished goods/products, increase the Gross Domestic Product, and transfer technology to Nigeria.”

Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, Jimbo said the overriding principle behind the introduction of the proposed legislation is to ensure regular value addition to the country’s solid mineral exploration.

He also said it was triggered by the need to create sustainable jobs for the nation’s army of unemployed youths.

Speaking with Parliamentary reporters in Abuja, the Lawmaker pointed out that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said over 200 million cell phones, over 500,000 solar systems, over 12 million cars, and millions of cameras, microphones, laptops, and remote controls are currently in use in Nigeria.

“These products have one thing in common, which is batteries,” he added, stressing that “the major ingredient in the production of the battery is a solid mineral lithium.”

He also noted that Deutsche Welle DW, a German foreign broadcasting company, said lithium has been discovered in large quantities in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, and Cross River.

“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 intention of this bill, Mr Speaker,” he said.

The lawmaker, therefore, urged his colleagues to support the bill to quicken its passage.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji