The role of research in harnessing the potential of minerals as a veritable tool for economic diversification cannot be over emphasized .
This assertion was made by the Director General / Chief , National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos.
Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo during the official hand over of Seven dilapidated buildings in NMDC to World Bank for resuscitation through the Project Coordinator World Bank- Assisted Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification(MINDIVER) Engr Sallim Salaam who was represented by Deputy Project Coordinator ,MINDIVER, Abba Usman at the handover ceremony in NMDC , Jos.
Prof Asuquo thanked World Bank through MINDIVER for agreeing to take over the rehabilitation of some of the buildings that are posing treats to the lives of workers at the research centre.
He said that with the present intervention of World Bank in the areas of infrastructural rehabilitation and human capacity building, NMDC is at the verge of becoming the hub of research and development in Africa thereby competing favourably with other R& D centres in the developed economies of the world.
The DG//CE recalled that earlier the World Bank through MINDIVER has procured two critical research equipment s which are still on transit,by this, he said they will not only contribute immensely towards raising the economic fortunes of Nigeria but meet up with world best practices in Mineral research and development.
The NMDC Chief Executive listed the buildings for renovation to include : Electric Arc Furnace Laboratory, Foundry ,Wet Laboratory, Clinic, Corrosion Laboratory, Telecommunications building and Scanning Electro Microscope Laboratory
The Representative of the MINDIVER Project Coordinator Alhaji Abba Usman while receiving the the document containing details of the works to be done from the DG/CE and handing same over to the contracting firm to execute the project– (Chianti Global Resources) reiterated the commitment of MINDIVER to ensure that projects carried out by Word Bank through the PIU would be completed and delivered to the Centre at stipulated time.
He appealed to the DG/CE to use his esthetics charisma exhibited so far at the centre to ensure that the contractors do not go contrary to the specifications in the document.
Usman informed the DG/CE that from what the team saw at the centre in terms well structured conducive work environment speaks volume on the DG’s indefatigable ability to move the centre to the next level.
In his words ‘ Am very happy so far with what I have seen in terms of workers corporations and your leadership style. Keep it up’
The high lights of the ceremony was the tour to facilities at the centre by the Team made of various Specialists from MINDIVER , Representatives of the contracting firm and Environmental control specialists.
