(L-R) Dr Kingsley Uzomah, Dr. Mohammed Yakubu, Prof Salihu Mustafa, The Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI) Prof.Mohammed Sani Haruna and the chairman PICTT, Dr Mohammed Dahiru at the inauguration of the assessment committee of the Presidential Implementation Committee recently in Abuja.

As way forward in the need for implementation of existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI) and the Czech Republic (represented by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, TA CR) on Delta-2 Project, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Committee to carry out assessment of submissions of proposals by Nigeria companies. The assessment would ensure the successful take-off of Projects to ignite process of fostering growth and expansion of infrastructure, manufacturing and innovation in Nigeria, leading to Made-in-Nigeria technologies and products.

According to the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee of Transfer of Technology between Nigeria and Czech Republic (PICTT), Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, over 200 Nigeria companies so far had applied to take part in the Delta-2 project, following public call for proposals in May 18,2022. He disclosed that the purpose of hoisting the federal government’s on-going technology transfer agreement with Czech Republic is to diversify the economy of Nigeria from oil.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the Committee in Abuja, Dr. Dahiru said the Committee’s Terms of Reference was the instrument of implementation of the MoU between the two countries which recognized the pivotal and critical roles of the PIC and NASENI.

While inaugurating the Committee, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, who is also co-Chair of the Presidential Implementation committee recalled that President Mohammed Buhari on 30th November, 2020 inaugurated the PIC on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Czech Republic, noting that the three focal areas for the First Phase of implementation by PICTT are Agricultural Equipment, Machinery, Production and Processing, Mining Equipment, Machinery, Production and Processing and general manufacturing with emphasis on micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Prof Haruna said that the Delta-2 Programme is the cooperation model of the TA CR, running from 2020-2025 through which TA CR sponsors applied research and innovation of manufacturing companies and innovative institutions. “CZK 250 million (250 million Czech Koruna, approximately equal to US$ 10.5 million) has been allocated as research fund by the Czech government On behalf of the FGN, NASENI will supplement this with US$ 10 million“.

The EVC, Prof. Haruna, also stated that 284 Public Proposals for Delta-2 Programme have been submitted for screening, noting that the thematic areas for proposals are Agriculture with the total 78 proposals (27.5%) while Mining and SMEs: Mining 12 (4.2%) and SMEs 194 (86.3%).  It could be recalled that the launch of Call for public Proposals, simultaneously hoisted by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) and at least eight (8) other participating countries was launched on 18th  May, 2022. It was the first part of the project procedure  on “TA CR Delta 2 Programme for Bilateral Cooperation in Applied Research and Technology, Transfer for Agriculture, Mining and General Manufacturing”.

Prof Haruna therefore urged the committee members to ensure that the important projects leading to Made-in-Nigeria technologies and products are selected from the companies to transform Nigeria and to jumpstart industrial revolution in the country.

The PICTT Work Plan 2021-2024 focuses on fostering infrastructural development in agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing (specifically for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). The chairmen of the various assessment committees are as follows: Engineer Professor Michael Faborode(Agriculture), professor Mosto Onuoha(Mining), Mr Dike Aguonye  (Technologies for SMEs Development) and Engr.Prof.Suleiman Aruwa, heading the Advisory committee.