Electric dryer produced by PRODA
Ben Ezechime, Enugu
In the Industrial area of Emene, a suburb of Enugu, Capital of the Coal city State is found the home of the “Project Development Institute, PRODA, ” Enugu, Enugu State Capital.
PRODA, arguably, the brightest prospect for Nigeria’s technological breakthrough in the current search for self reliance in home grown products, shinning like a million star in it’s quest to make Nigeria a technological hub in the West African Sub Region.
Along this line, the institute has technological innovations capable of catapulting Nigeria to an enviable position in research and development.
The Project Development Agency (PRODA) as it was initially created was established in 1971, by the then Government of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria after the Nigeria Civil War with the motto: “Industrialisation Through Self Reliance. ”
The agency was designed to channel, through applied research and technological innovations, the energies and newly found confidence of the indigenous engineers, technicians into finding solutions to the problems of industrial development of the Eastern Region, and Nigeria as a whole.
The mandate of the agency was to among others carry out research in industrial materials and processes to pilot plant stages including engineering design, development and fabrication.
However, following the creation of Anambra and Imo states in 1976, the Federal Government of Nigeria took over the agency under the supervision of Nigerian Council of Science and Technology.
PRODA later became a Research Institute under the National Science and Technology Development Agency by decree no: 5, of 1977.
In over 40 years of existence of PRODA, the institute has made significant inroads in research and technological breakthroughs in line with its mandate especially in the areas of agro-produce processing machinery and other industrial mechanical appliances.
In line with this, the institute has through collaborations and partnerships with other relevant institutions succeeded in many technological innovations.
These breakthroughs if well harnessed and encouraged can gradually take Nigeria to a new face of industrial revolution.
Among some of the achievements by PRODA includes establishment of cottage industries in various communities across Nigeria, as well as the supervision of more than 1,000 Constituency Projects from which no fewer than Four hundred, (400) jobs have been created across the country.
These performance indicators have demonstrated PRODA’s capacity to mass produce the products of research and development.
Furthermore, some of the products being produced by the institute includes Garri Production Plant: two versions, an integrated fully mechanised, three ton/day plant; PRODA mellon shelling machines; Cassava chipping machines; Multipurpose electric dryer; and PRODA Palm Produce Processing Plant.
Others are, PRODA Fish Feed Pelleting Machines; Maize/Corn Sheller; Corn Threshing Machine; Soya Bean Floor Processing Plant; PRODA Mechanical Kneading Machine; PRODA School Pencil; Multiple purposes Roasting Machine; Fruit Juice Extractor; Industrial Poultry Waste Dryer; PRODA Economical and Efficient Coal/Biomass Fuel Stove and PRODA Burners and Cookers.
In addition, the institute has also produced Foundry Equipment, a Coal fired furnace for cottage foundries, and oil fired tilting crucible furnace.
PRODA has also produced Smokeless Briquettes from Nigeria Coals and Biomass, which means that the virtual dependence of the country on petroleum and.petroleum related products is over if well encouraged and utilised.
The importance of this smokeless briquettes is that it solves the twin problems of soil erosion in the Southern part of the country and desert encroachment in the North
The institute has also mass- produced Centrifugal Water Pump for domestic, trade and agricultural use. The pump may be powered either by electronic motor or by engine.
Another innovative technology breakthrough by PRODA is an electronic welding machine both for domestic and industrial structures.
PRODA has also produced a Stand-Alone Solar Street Light that uses sunlight collected during the day time to provide quality light at night in the environment where the system is installed.
It functions automatically and needs no attendance. It is best suited in providing night light along high ways, streets, compounds gardens and so on.
In addition, PRODA also produced Solar Electricity Generators (1KVA, 3KVA and 5KVA). This is a system that uses sun light as fuel to generate usable electricity.
The electricity so generated can be used in homes, offices, and factories to electrically power equipment.
It is the easiest means of achieving electricity generation in areas where public utility is difficult to install. It does not require the erection of poles, transformers, long distance cabling.
The system can be designed and installed in various capacities from hundreds of watts to kilos.
Among other innovations by PRODA includes Cottage Pottery Plant; Industrial Battery Charger; Pottery/Ceramic Wares; and Electrical Porcelain Insulators.
The institute has successfully produced an industrial battery charger capable of charging up to three lead acid batteries at a time.
PRODA also offer a wide range of consultancy and technical services in engineering as well as chemical and physical laboratory analysis of food products, chemicals and drugs, industrial and raw materials.
Part of its activities also include training and manpower development in areas of vocational training/skills acquisition.
There is no gain saying that with the current innovations and breakthroughs by PRODA under the present management led by Engr. Dr Peter Ogbobe, Nigeria is poised to reaching the zenith of technological development in the shortest possible time.
A crystal look at the activities of PRODA vis a vis their penetration in the technological innovations showed that, with further encouragement by the presiding authorities, the institute has the capacity and wherewithal to make the country the technical hub in the West Africa Sub-Region.
