Bill to establish Tech Transfer Commission passes second reading at house of reps

A bill to establish the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion has passed the second reading at the house of representatives.

Clement Jimbo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state, sponsored the bill.

When passed into law, the commission will monitor the inflow of foreign products/technology into Nigeria.

Leading the debate on the bill, the lawmaker said the commission, when established, will “leverage on our huge and active population to create jobs for youths, process our raw materials into finished goods/products, increase our gross domestic product (GDP), and transfer technology to Nigeria”.

“National Bureau of Statistics (NBB) says over 200 million cell phones, 500,000 solar systems, 12 million cars, cameras, microphones, laptops, and remote controls are currently in use in Nigeria,” he said.

“Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, the above-listed products have one thing in common: batteries.

“Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, the major ingredient in the production of batteries is a solid mineral called lithium.

“A German foreign broadcasting company, Deutsche Welle DW says lithium has been discovered in large quantities in Nigeria and these states: Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, and Cross River.”

The lawmaker said the bill is intended to ensure regular value addition to the nation’s solid mineral exploration.

He said the proposed legislation will “jack up our gross domestic products and increase our revenue base through foreign exchange”.

The lawmaker said the commission will “leverage on Nigeria’s population to negotiate with other countries intending to make Nigeria their country of export of goods/products to mandatorily transfer technology for the production/manufacture of components of such production/goods to be exported to Nigeria, provided there is proof of availability of raw materials in Nigeria”.

Lawmakers unanimously voted in favour of the bill when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.