The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has said that the Federal Government will continue to provide the necessary support to the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) towards achieving its mandate of regulating and registering technology transfer agreements in order to promote indigenous technological activities in the country.
Nnaji said this during the commissioning of the new NOTAP Headquarters Complex today in Abuja.
He further stressed that the Ministry will continue to support the Agency in ensuring that all MDAs and private sector organizations register their technology transfer agreements as stipulated in its mandate.
The Minister also said that the completion of the building project is one of the landmarks and legacy achievements of the Agency, adding that it is one of the infrastructural projects executed by the Federal Government within its completion period.
He added that the importance of condusive working environment towards attaining efficiency, increased productivity and enhanced staff performance for optimal service delivery is a catalyst to achieving national development and growth.
To this end, the Minister commended the remarkable role played by the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the construction of the Headquarters Complex and ensured that appropriate funds were allocated.
He expressed gratitude to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for approving the commissioning of the NOTAP Headquarters Complex and commended the unwavering support of the 9th National Assembly.
Speaking, the Chairman Senate Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas said that the present Administration has taken Innovation, Science and Technology as a tool that will take the country to greater height.
To this end, he stated that appropriate allocations will be given to Innovation, Science and Technology stressing that all legal frame work will be put in place to enable the Agencies of the Ministry function effectively.
Speaking also, the Chairman House Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos said that improved funding will be appropriated for the Innovation, Science and Technology sector and also to ensure proper oversight will be done for transparency and accountability.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, James Sule, in his closing remarks said that the Ministry is ready to collaborate with Stakeholders and the Organize Private Sector(OPS) so as to achieve the desired Innovation towards diversification of the economy through Science and Technology sector.
The Director- General of the NOTAP, Dr. Dan-Azumi Ibrahim, said that the Agency under the supervision of the Ministry is mandated to regulate the inflow of foreign technologies into the country and promote the indigenous generated ones as a process of facilitating the emergence of knowledge-based economy in the country.
He further stated that his dream to provide the office with a befitting Headquarters Complex came to reality with the overwhelming support and commitment of the entire Management and staff of the Agency.
