Nnaji: Development of High Quality Raw Materials Is Necessary For National Growth

Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), is urging stakeholders to collectively support the National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria.

According to the Minister, that the mere possession of abundant raw materials in the country does not guarantee economic prosperity, but rather developing them into high-quality products is imperative for national growth and global competitiveness.

Nnaji, stated this at the Conference of the National Consultative Committee on Global Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria in Abuja Tuesday in Abuja.

The initiative he said is critical as it creates a platform for continuous deliberating and recommending feasible initiatives, for strengthening Nigeria’s economic growth prospects and global competitiveness in raw materials and product development.

He said, “The National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria, with its Implementation Plan, was developed by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council under the supervision of my Ministry.”

Nnaji added that the target of the strategy is to facilitate significant reductions in the imports of raw materials and products that are or can easily be readily available in Nigeria but massively imported into the country.

Earlier, the Director-General/CEO of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, said the initiative was in response to the patriotic zeal and the consequent pressure from the Minister, charging them to immediately initiate and commence the implementation of the National Strategy following the launch of the Consultative Committee in 2017.

“As you all know, the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria” was approved for implementation by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, 17th May 2017. The post-approval step by the government was also the constitution of the National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness (NCCC) and its inauguration by the then Hon. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy.”