By Stephen Jonathan
The NCDMB has concluded plans to hold it’s second edition on Research and Development fair and conference. The fair with theme,’Creating Sustainable Collaboration in Research and Development for the Energy Sector will hold on September 9, in Yenogoa, Bayelsa state.
The management of NCDMB dropped this while briefing news men yesterday said the purpose of the fair is to bring together industry stakeholders, academia, and researchers towards achieving a common agenda on Research and Development as a pillar for sustainable local content.
Speaking to news men, Engr. Simbi Wabote, stated that the maiden edition of the Research and Development Fair organized in 2017, brought about several research breakthroughs and linkages between Researchers and end-users in the Oil and Gas Industry.
He stressed that since thereafter the maiden edition, significant progress has been made through Research and Development in elevating the Oil and Gas industry, including the establishment of Nigerian Content Research and Development Council with a mandate to advise the Board on matters relating to research and development in the oil and gas industry.
It also include the development of Research and Development of a ten year strategic road map, which will be launched during the 2021 Research and Development fair. Development of frameworks for supporting research breakthroughs to products for industry application. He disclosed that over 20 Researchers are benefiting from the Board’s intervention.
He mentioned other achievements recorded since thereafter the first edition of the fair to include the creation of $50 Million Research and Development Fund, the Inauguration of Technical Advisory Board on Nigerian content Research and Development Fund and signing of memorandum of understanding [MOU] to establish Research and Development[R and D] Centers of Excellence in five (5) universities. The five universities are.. The federal universities of Technology Minna, Akure and Owerri, Niger Delta University Amasoma and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.
He explained that the upcoming second edition of the fair will be through hybrid participation, in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
He said the second edition of Research and Development fair in Yenogoa, promises to feature presentation of Research breakthroughs, panel discussion on Research and Development [R&D] pillars of success and a special feature on how Nigeria can adopt a sustainable acceleration program for launching innovative ideas into the market.
