The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said the successful implementation of the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria will save the country over N3 trillion in foreign exchange for the short-term period of five years.
Onu disclosed this at the First National Consultative Forum for Regulatory Establishment in Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.
Onu said the successful implementation of this national strategy would yield immense benefits to ensure an irreversible indigenous industrialization process, higher productivity and enhance value addition, adding that it will also generate quality employment, alleviate poverty and create prosperity for the nation.
He called for collective effort of the stakeholders with commitment through effective collaboration, cooperation and coordination of various complementary roles for the common goal of driving Nigeria to a higher ranking of global competitiveness.
He said: “My expectation is for our regulatory establishments to apply appropriate conformity assessment measures in ensuring that specific technical requirement of products, services and system meet intentional standard.
“It is important to ensure, at all times, that certification and accreditation are issued after due diligence, based on professional ethics and values.
“This is why regulatory bodies, all over world, help nations achieve global competitiveness, especially in building trust for world trade in merchandise and services.”
Onu stressed the need to effectively coordinate all regulatory bodies in Nigeria and ensure that balance is maintained between the needs of both business and the people.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bitrus Bako Nabasu, said the National Quality Infrastructure is the key to competitiveness activities and will therefore help to achieve a robust linkage between industries and Research and Development activities .
Nabasu said: “If properly Implemented it will enable Nigeria become less import dependent and more competitive in raw materials and product development in her effort to join the league of industrialized nations of the world.”