The ongoing National Conference yesterday rejected a recommendation by its Committee on Science and Technology, placing a total ban on export of all raw materials from the country to encourage the production of products locally.
The conference also voted against another recommendation that government should ensure 50 per cent value addition to raw materials before export, even as the delegates rejected the incorporation of National Scientific Council into the 1999 Constitution.
The conference at the plenary yesterday, during voting on recommendations of the committee agreed that there was a need to set up a National Science Technology and Innovation Fund (NSTIF).
They also voted in favour of a recommendation that the fund when established should be managed by the Academy of Science, Academy of Engineers, Academy of Education and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
They however rejected the move to make it mandatory for Science based companies and multinational companies to pay two percent of their gross earnings to the fund.
It was also rejected that government should not pursue manpower development for nuclear technology.
They agreed that government should facilitate the amendment of the Biotechnolgy and Biosafety Agency bills to have strict liability provisions. And to ensure compulsory computer education and provision of science equipment at the primary level in all schools
