THE Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, has vowed to assist the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) to achieve its full potentials so as to enable it contribute meaningfully in Nigeria’s march towards industrialisation.

Onu, who was on a tour of PRODA facilities at Emene and Iva Valley in Enugu yesterday, said that although he was impressed with the work at PRODA, it was obvious that a lot more could be done.

Tasking the management of PRODA on job creation, he said that, “job creation is important to this administration. It is our belief that PRODA can create jobs. We want to know how PRODA can impart skills acquisition to people with sophisticated backgrounds.”

The minister challenged PRODA to produce a Made in Nigeria 6 Cylinder Engine and a locally made pencil, as he regretted that despite that Nigeria had the capacity to manufacture pencils, it had continued to import the item, saying the country cannot continue with the disgrace.

He said that Nigeria would be able to produce some of its defence requirements and other needs if it succeeds in producing its own engine and other technological components, adding that Nigeria was tired of importing all sorts of things into the country as he assured that his ministry, would assist the research Institute, in achieving its objectives of contributing meaningfully to the nation’s technological breakthrough.

The Chief Executive Officer of PRODA, Engr Dr C.N. Agulanna, who was represented by Engr. Dr Edwin Oriaku assured that the institute was capable of providing 400,000 jobs.

Oriaku said that part of the imported machines that would have enabled PRODA take off with full scale production of pencil was withheld at the Wharf in Lagos because of the inability of the Institute to pay the import duties.

He, however, expressed confidence that when the machines are released PRODA would embark on mass scale production of pencil.

He assured that the mass production of pencil by PRODA will be enough to serve Nigeria and other West African nations.

Onu urged the management of the institute to submit to his office a blue print on how the agency can be supported to embark on its full scale production within one week.