…As Nnaji signs project framework with Domineum/Edenbase Consortium
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United Kingdom (UK) based consortium: Domineum/Edenbase for the establishing of a technology city in Abuja.
While expressing optimism that federal government intends recreate such huge successes from the developer of the London Technology City.
He hinged this against the backdrop of the over 61 billion pounds the company made in its fifth year of operation of the London Tech City.
On Nigeria’s readiness for the collaboration, the Minister, said the signing of the MoU laid the foundation for the participation of a key player in Tech City project by establishing the general framework that facilities collaboration and cooperation for technology transfer between the two UK consortium and federal government.
According to the Minister, government is committed to ensuring sustainable inmdustrialisation through the establishment of Tech Cities across the country, adding: Government is well is aware that Tech Cities are the catalysts for rapid industrialization in a country and enhancement of operational synergy within critical sectors.
He said: “This is evident in the results from Silicon Valley project and the Tech Parks in UK, Singapore and South Korea.
According to him, the Abuja Tech ecosystem will be developed by the same consortia that developed the London ecosystem, adding that it is important to note that London Tech City ecosystem. It is important to note that London Tech City is the second most valuable Tech Ecosystem on earth after Silicon Valley.
Nnaji, added that the Abuja tech City will be blown, smart and Green Ciity complete with tech driven start-ups, industries, entertainment, schools and parks, adding that the Tech City will be a freee trade zone and home the Ministry’s agenda 8 and 9 which include clean tech programme and the green manuafcturining initiative.
Representatives of the UK Consortium, Messrs. Geoffrey Nwosu and Satesh Melwani, acknowledged that the London Technology City though artificially created unlike the Silicon Valley was a success story.