On Friday, the Nigerian Senate rejected a proposal to hand over total control of the Nigerian Building Research Institute to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, expressed his disapproval during a two-day public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology in Abuja.
Senator Lilian Uche Ekwunife, who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, held a two-day public hearing on three proposed bills: the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute Establishment bill, the National Energy Sustainable Development Bill, and the National Research and Innovation Control Establishment bill.
The Senate President, who was represented at the event by Deputy Senate Leader Ajayi Boroffice, stated that bringing NIBRI back under the Ministry’s jurisdiction would be unjust.
“I (Boroffice) joined the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2008, and from 2011 to 2019, I was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology,” he stated.
“I am well-versed in the physiology of science and technology.” The agency has been liberated from the ministry’s bowels.”
Ajayi stated that bringing back NIBRI, which is an agency within the Ministry of Science and Technology, would be unjust, and that it should be permitted to function independently of the Ministry.
“The agency should be free to carry out its functions without interference.” We’re discussing innovation here. If the agency isn’t free, how can we expect innovation?”
According to him, the ministry was intended to develop policies for itself and its agencies, but the thought of returning NIBRI to it would be met with fierce opposition in parliament.
“The agency’s Director-General should also be questioned about monitoring and oversight.”
“You aren’t involved in construction control.” NIBRI would only be called in if there was a case of a building collapse.”
Lawan also went after the development control agency, accusing its officials of inefficiency.
He said, “The development control agency. I am sorry, I don’t think I support what you guys are doing.
“Your men only go to site and collect money. You don’t do any thorough work and I am going to take it up with you at the right time.
“You are supposed to go to site and take control. Your people only go there to collect money. Quote me. My name is Boroffice.”
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