By Bisola Adeyemo
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has stated that the Federal Government is ready to support the University of Nigeria Nsukka in producing more of the Refuse Drives Fuel (RDF) gasification plant to help reduce the electricity problem in the country.
Onu gave the promise in Nsukka shortly after inspecting the 500kva gasification plant built by Prof Enenike Ejiogu led the Research team from the Faculty of Engineering of UNN.
He commended the research team for building a 500kva plant that supplied the administrative block of the university with electricity which used organic materials as fuel to work.
“The Ministry of Science and Technology is willing to support UNN research team that has made great innovation on electricity generation, that will help to solve the problem of inadequate electricity supply in the country, daily times reports.
“This innovations will not only givemore people electricity but clear refuse dumps in our streets as refuse dumps our street are now being converted to electricity, I congratulate UNN on this important achievement.
“This innovation will bring out clean environment in the country, create more jobs, wealth as well as generate electricity to power our homes and industries,” he said.
He, therefore, urged other universities in the country to emulate UNN by paying special attention to science and innovation, adding that this will make universities in the country to be ranked in future among the best in the world.
“I am happy with UNN quality of research and innovation that is fulfilling the vision of founding fathers of the university.
“ I urge other universities in the country to emulate UNN by paying special attention to science and innovations.
“I commend Prof Ejiogu led research team for this wonderful innovation as well as the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Charles Igwe, for his support and goodadministration in UNN,” he said.
In a remark Igwe commended the minister for his visit to see the 500kva gasification plant produced by Prof Ejiogu led research team that now supplied electricity to the administrative block ofthe university.
“UNN is happy for the minister’s visit asit will go a long way to attract government and private sector support to gasification plant.
“ When this gasification plant is produced in commercial quantity, electricity in problems in universities, companies industries and the entire country will become a thing of the past.
“The university is happy with the invention of the gasification plant because it will help to end the monthly huge electricity bill of N80m by Enugu Electricity distribution Company (EEDC).
“This gasification plant will not only solve huge electricity bill in universities in the country but create more employment and wealth for Nigerians,” he said.