Bayelsa government seeks collaboration with agencies on ICT policies

The Bayelsa State Government has stressed the need for robust collaboration between state and federal agencies in policy formulation and implementation on science, technology and innovation.

Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd.) stated this when he received Director General, National Centre for Technology Management, Abuja, Okechukwu Ukwuoma and his team yesterday at Government House, Yenagoa.

John Jonah, who decried importation of all kinds of flamboyant cars into the country, said such cars should be heavily taxed.He recommended that vehicles locally produced by Innoson Motors should be patronized, as importation of goods from other countries increase their GDP and decrease that of Nigeria.

He commended the Centre for choosing Bayelsa as host of its South-South workshop and training programme, assuring that its request for an office accommodation in the state would be considered.

Also, he challenged the body to not only key into Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), but sought the help of Nigerians in the Diaspora who have excelled in the field to assist the country.

“I believe that there must be serious collaboration between federal and state agencies, particularly in the field of policy formulation on science and technology.

“We can synergise so that the entire country can benefit. Without science, technology and innovation, there can be no meaningful development,” he stated.

Responding, Ukwuoma said he and his team visited the state to participate in a workshop and training programme organised by the South-South Zonal Office of the Centre.He pointed out that the workshop dwelled on management of science, technology and innovation, noting that the Centre was prepared to collaborate with the state government in the area of baseline studies on science and technology and assist in the formulation of a policy on science, technology and innovation.

He added that the 2012 Science and Technology Policy Document of the Federal Government was in the process of being reviewed in tandem with current realities, with a view to ascertaining its objectives.

Other areas of collaboration with state governments are, consultancy in environmental impact assessment, technology policy and post-graduate diploma programmes in technology management, which have been on for 10 years, while appealing for the provision of an office accommodation.