By Sylvester Thompson
Dr Olushola Odusanya, Director General of National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), says the centre is facilitating a process where Nigeria will start building fibreglass boats.
Odusanya disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Global Science, Technology and Innovation Conference orgainsed by NACTEM on Wednesday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference was, “Unlocking the Potential of Market Ready Technological Solutions for Blue Economy in Nigeria.”
He said that wooden boats were nice but the world had migrated to the use of fiberglass boats.
“It is not a technological problem but a problem of us coming together.
“That is the reason why we have put people in this room; to discuss how we can start using fibreglass boats.’’
The NACETEM director-general said the conference was also to discuss how the knowledge of welding and foundry among others could help achieve the goal.
According to him, on the long run, the endeavor will metamorphose into carriage for trains and other vessels.
“Let’s get this one right first related to blue economy.
“It is crystal clear in my mind that this is one area that we can actually build wealth, and we have highly trainable people.”
He explained that the conference was about “setting up the nuts and bolts of blue economy.”
The director-general pointed out that though the national policy on the development of blue economy and the pathway to follow was clear, operators of the blue economy still needed to come together for corporate knowledge.
He said the conference also afforded the opportunity for participants to learn from what other countries were doing, which would provide a clear vision for Nigeria’s blue economy
NAN reports that blue economy is an economic system or sector that seeks to conserve marine and freshwater environments, while using them in a sustainable way to develop economic growth.
Odusanya hinted that the relationship between agriculture and environmental husbandry would also be brought forward.
“The relationship between the customs and the Nigerian navy in ensuring that this economy becomes localised will also be discussed,” he said.
He argued that starting the blue economy by opening it up as a new way of generating income, required new set of skills and a system of training.
Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Secretary General, cademic Staff Union of Research Institutions(ASURI), told NAN that Nigeria was one of the most naturally endowed nations in the world.
He said one of the endowments was blue economy and the capacity to harness it.
“Anytime you are flying, just look through the window, you will wonder whether this country was specially designed with waterways.
“You can see rivers crisscrossing the whole length and breadth of Nigeria,” Ndubuaku said.
He said Nigeria had big rivers and coastal region and didn’t depend on rain-fed agriculture, and the waters could be used to produce enough fish to feed the world.
Ndubuaku said it could be used as a means of transportation, adding that Nigeria had no business importing fish.
He urged the government to allocate funds to research in order to drive the blue economy and other researches which would fast-track national progress.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
