…Opposes establishment of National Innovation Agency
By Esho Ayemoba
The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Dr. Adeleke Mamora has expressed Federal Government’s strong opposition through the Ministry on the proposed Bill to establish the National Innovation Agency (NIA).
The Minister who was fielding questions from a Radio Programme monitored in Abuja over the weekend, said government is vehemently opposed to that bill because, creating the national innovation agency will end in the duplication and multiplication of duties and roles, adding…this is bad for a system that should be collaborative and innovative.
Mamora, said: “Fortunately, I was at the public hearing of this bill, that is already before the National Assembly. My position is unambiguous, and it is not just my own position, it’s the position of the Ministry and her other agencies, particularly the relevant agencies in respect of this particular bill.
“As far as I am concerned, the intention of that bill may be good, but the basis for not supporting that agency is that already we have too many agencies and you have not just duplication but multiplication of roles and duties that are doing.
Mamora, however underscores that funding the over 17 existing agencies in the ministry to bridge
the gaps is necessary for improvement of their duties stands ahead of taking the step to establishing new ones.
He reiterated that the proposed establishment of a NIA will end in the multiplication of duties and is bad for a system that should be collaborative and innovative.
He said: “Fortunately, I was at the public hearing of this bill, it is already before the national assembly. And my position is unambiguous, and it is not just my own position, it’s the position of the Ministry and her agencies, particularly the relevant agencies in respect of this particular bill.
“As far as I am concerned, that bill, the intention will be good, but the basis for not supporting that agency is already we have too many agencies and you have not just duplication but multiplication of roles.
“Reviewing the existing Acts of the current agencies should be focused on and properly funded.”