Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has said that Nigeria is one of the largest producers of cassava in the world, and when value is added before exportation, the country will gain over $500 million dollars per annum that will enhance the economic transformation of the country. The Minister made this statement when a delegation from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission led by the Director-General, Dr. Jobson Oseodiom Ewelafoh paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Abuja.
He further said that Innovation, Science and Technology are the bedrock of the development of any nation, no country has ever developed without the full deployment of scientific apparatus to all sectors of the economy. Nnaji pointed out that with great potential in the cassava value chain, if well harnessed, it will add to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of The country, enhance economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty to the barest minimum.
Chief Nnaji also said that the Ministry will collaborate with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to drive growth across all sectors of the Country’s economy. He emphasized that partnership with the private sector will enhance funding towards the development of infrastructural projects.
To this end, he commended the organization for Working assiduously with the relevant Ministries to ensure that one of the Eight Points Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is achieved.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye said that the Commission has been working on several projects with different Ministries, adding that the Ministry is ready to give them the necessary support to achieve their goal. Earlier, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr. Jobson Oseodiom Ewelafor said that if the Innovation, Science and Technology sector is properly developed it can serve as a key driver for economic growth and progress of the country.
He further said that technology has been proven to be a great enabler that can bring the radical change that Nigeria desire.