President of the Institute, Dr Solomon Edeberi stated this in Abuja recently at a meeting with Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Edeberi, who led a delegation on a courtesy call on the Minister to seek colaboration for the Institute, urged the ministry for partnership in the areas of research into agro equipment fabrications, electrodes and waste management.
According to him, partnership in these areas will improve yeilds in rice production, especially at this time when the produce has become too expensive for many households.
“With mechanized production we must be able to produce rice locally, we must be able to process cassava and grains locally which can only be achieved through welding engineering”, he said.
He noted that the Institute was also working on how to get alternative power supply like the mobile power system and also regulate the practice of welding profession in Nigeria to ensure standard and certification.
Edeberi also disclosed that the Nigerian Institute of Welding is working with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to close the gap of certified welding personnel against the uncertified welding personnel.
In his response, the Minister pledged the ministry’s collaboration and partnership to the Institute as this will help to further grow the economy and contribute to national development.
The Minister added: “The time has come for us to pay sufficient attention to welding technology because it is very important to the manufacturing sector” the minister said, adding that through this, Nigeria will be able to produce machines and equipment needed for the various sectors of the economy to grow.”
