The Senate Committee on the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has praised the agency for its pivotal role in advancing local content development, particularly in solar-powered smart irrigation, tricycles, electric motorbikes and more, through accelerated technology transfer.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Sen. Ezenwa Onyewuchi and the committee members conducted an oversight function visit to NASENI headquarters in Abuja on Monday, February 26, 2024. Expressing satisfaction, Onyewuchi commended NASENI for its commitment to technological progress, highlighting the importance of the agency’s contributions to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.
“The committee is quite pleased with the level of progress, and we want to assure NASENI of the support of the National Assembly to make sure that the agency effectively drives the vision of President Bola Tinubu in this area,” said Onyewuchi. He also acknowledged NASENI’s efforts in promoting environmentally friendly technologies, emphasising the shift from fossil fuel to non-fossil products.
During the visit, the committee members inspected various NASENI products, including animal feed processing machines, transformers, electric motorcycles, tricycles, as well as home and irrigation solar systems.
Members of the committee, speaking separately, highlighted the positive impact of NASENI’s innovations on local businesses and the national economy. They expressed optimism that the mass production of NASENI solar systems could address power challenges in both urban and rural areas.
The executive vice chairman of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu shared that some NASENI products would be ready in the second quarter of the year. He announced the establishment of a technology transfer hub within the agency’s headquarters to bring eco-friendly technologies closer to the people and ensure affordability.
“We promised Nigerians that by the first quarter of this year, they are going to be seeing NASENI products, and today, you have witnessed three products—the solar irrigation system, the electronic motorcycle and tricycle (‘Keke’) and the solar home system,” said Halilu.
He added, “You will soon start seeing NASENI branded products in our efforts to build a national brand for the country, and of course, if you are doing commercially viable products, they have to be affordable to the common man and very soon, you will start seeing them in the market.”
A statement from the agency’s director of information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan revealed the names of other lawmakers who participated in the visit, emphasising the importance of parliamentary support for NASENI’s endeavours. The delegation included the chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Sen. Aminu Abbas; Deputy chairman, Sen. Mohammed Onawo, as well as members Sen. David Jimkura, Sen. Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and Sen. Abdullaziz Yar’Adua.
