By Terwase Orduen
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) and one of its agencies, the Nigerian Building and Roads and Research Institute (NBRRI) want Nigerians and investors to buy into the promotion of bamboo technology because of the multifaceted socio-economic value that can be derived from the plant.
The collaboration between the ministry and the agency regarding the utilisation of bamboo technology as end products for climate change mitigation, eco-friendly resource for industries, economic diversification, job creation and for the overall development of Nigeria, become apt.
In a joint workshop which held on Tuesday 16, at the Headquarters of NBRRI, in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, said:
“In line with this, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation in collaboration with the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute has established Research and Development (R/D) competence in the production and utilization of bamboo products/technologies that will help to forestall environmental degradation, improve the economy, mitigate climate change, and create sustainable livelihood and jobs.
She said: “As a party to the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change, Nigeria is committed to the goal of reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and complying with the resolutions from the twenty-seventh conference of parties (COP 27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which informed all countries to start implementation of their climate pledges and actions.
According to her, products technology would not only reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels but would also help Nigeria fulfill her commitment under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which entails cutting emissions in 7 strategic sectors of the economy.
“In addition, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the conduct of the National Technology Action Plan for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria’s most vulnerable economic sectors and presentation of National Technology Action Plan (NTAP).” Udoh, added.
Bamboo, according to her, is a versatile and sustainable material with a lifespan of over 75 years, interestingly, it can develop even in lands and areas unsuitable for other crops.
“It is fast-growing, strong, lightweighted, renewable, and has a wide range of applications in construction, furniture, handicrafts, textiles, and many other industries in the production of variety of products and uses.
“Additionally, bamboo has the potential to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and promoting reforestation.” She added.
The Permanent Secretary, said that by promoting the use of bamboo, a sustainable economy that would be beneficial to both Nigerians and our environment would be created, adding that it will create an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to explore the latest advances in bamboo technology, see existing products from bamboo technologies and in addition, share experiences and knowledge about how best to harness this resource for the benefit of Nigerians.
To the privileged participants of this important workshop, I wish to encourage you to maximally explore the opportunities presented by this workshop to develop your capacity to exploit the invaluable benefits on the utilization of bamboo technology to improve the economy and for the growth of the STI system in the country.
She said: “I am strongly optimistic that with the caliber of resource persons designated to handle the various topics and your commitment to assimilate and implement the ideas to be shared, the objectives of this workshop will be achieved.
“I cheer stakeholders to take an exhibition tour around NBRRI to encourage, network and synergize of the available technologies in line with best international practice.
“It is pertinent to note that there is still much work to be done in the fabrication of bamboo, to ensure that the entire value chain is in line with commercial framework for standardization.
As we engage in these discussions, it is important to remember that our goal is not just economic growth, but sustainable development which at the end will
produce policy options on the use of these emerging technologies, create an in dept knowledge and grow the business sector.
In a remark, the Director in charge of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Dr. Patrick Ekweozoh, also reiterated that the plant it has been recognized by the UN Convention on Climate Change as an environment friendly plant that is non evasive, protect the quality of the soil and at the same time can offer means of sustainable livelihood for people.
He said: “You can process it into furniture, house and it can be processed as a means of plant that people can use to do plantation where to harvest woods for furniture and for other purposes in the environment and that is besides providing aesthetic in the environment.
“We can process bamboo to have our seats, rag, towel and as roofing sheets, for road constructions and flooring and in that process the FMSTI has a number of agencies that have focused research on the bamboo technology like NBRRI and the Research and Raw Materials Development Council (RMRDC).
“What is however interesting in the work of NBRRI is that they have been able to come up with a bamboo laminated structure that you can use in roofing and ceiling and you can also use it as floor tiles and that informed the ministry organizing this workshop because it is the duty of the Ministry to promote R/D outputs that offer bright prospect of commercialization and that is why the Ministry is involved in the organization of this workshop.”
He said some years back the Federal of Environment had an MoU with a private firm from Malaysia that wanted to commercialize bamboo and add value to bamboo and see how it can become a major trade in Nigeria.
However, he said: “I think such efforts did not go too far because it was a question of bring a foreign direct investor to come and invest in bamboo but I think that the efforts that we are having today is from where to start and that is carrying out indigenous research having the right sense of manpower and from there interfacing with the business industry to see how you can now take R/D output to the industry.
“That is one critical benefits of this workshop and we hope that at the end of this workshop it will be one of the such advocacy activities that will bring in the private sector to buy into the effort of the FMSTI as well as taking up R/D outputs from NBRRI and some of our agencies.”
