From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji has said that Science and museum park will increase the revenue economy of the nation.
Nnaji said that the Ministry is committed through Private Public Partnership(PPP) to develop Infrastructure such as building of Science Park and Museum which will enhance socio-economic development and increase revenue earnings for the nation.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye stated this statement when a delegation from Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) led by the Director-General and CEO, Barrister (Barr)Michael Ohiani paid him a courtesy visit today in Abuja.
According to Nnaji, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, an Agency of the government responsible for the development and implementation of the Public Private Partnership(PPP) framework for the provision of infrastructure Services is critical to the socio- economic development and growth of the Country.
The Minister revealed that the Ministry’s interface with Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) started in 2015, when the Ministry realized the need to seek for more funding for Research and Development(R&D) and in the course of time, the partnership has yielded results that has greatly transformed the sector and encouraged the commercialization drive of the Ministry. `
He further reassured the Commission of the Ministry’s commitment to the establishment of the Science, Technology Park and Museum in order to realize one of the eight-points Agenda of this present Administration geared towards job creation and poverty alleviation.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Barrister Michael Ohiani said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inaugural speech has promised to improve the lives of Nigerians by strengthening bonds of economic collaboration, foster social cohesion and cultural understanding as well as develop sense of fairness and equity amongst the populace.
He also stressed the need to embrace Public Private Partnership (PPP) by all Government Agencies, and to further strengthen relationship between ICRC and the Agencies of the Ministry for timely execution of their projects.
Speaking, the head of the Private Public Partnership (PPP), Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology(FMIST) Dr. Victor Fadipe, said that the two areas that are very paramount to the Ministry, are Science Park and the Museum Infrastructural development which will enable her be an active player in the technological advancement of the nation.
He then, appealed for the ICRC ‘s cooporation so as to enable the Ministry to achieve these projects at their specified periods.