The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has described the establishment of the University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina state by the present administration as a triumph of the Executive Order 5 initiated by the ministry.
Speaking on the sideline of the conference of Nigerian Society of Engineers on Tuesday in Kano, Onu said the ground-breaking ceremony of the University of Transportation showed the commitment of the federal government to strengthen the role of Science, Technology and Innovation in line with Executive Order 5.
According to him, the project is part of on-going effort of the federal government to promote and develop indigenous capacity through technology acquisition and knowledge transfer to effectively maintain and operate numerous railway infrastructures.
The Minister commended the President for placing premium on the use of indigenous professionals, adding that the University would pave way for domestication of railway engineering and general transportation sciences in Nigeria, thereby bridging the technology and skill gap in the railway and transportation sector.
Onu said the development is a good example of local content development in contracts involving Science, Engineering and Technology as enshrined in the Presidential Executive Order. 5.
He further said the federal government would continue to accelerate the process of technology acquisition and utilization for rapid and sustainable growth and development of the nation.
“As one of the major construction hubs of the world, the Federal Government will ensure that Nigerian professionals are involved in the construction and infrastructure development processes, programmes, projects, contracts, contracts etc,” the minister said.
