In pursuant as well as his persistent and spirited effort towards the actualization of the Project Development Agency Bill sponsored by the calm but calculating Distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze(FNSE) representing Imo North Senatorial district of Nigeria,the Senate Committee on Science and Technology under the Chairmanship of Senator Abbas, today, (Monday 4th November 2024)held a well attended and successful “Public and Stakeholders Interactive Session” towards the eventual passage of the Bill by the Nigerian Senate.
It is interesting to note that the ceremony attracted a cross section of all key stakeholders in the science and technology industry, whose interest have been activated since the presentation of the new Bill by the sponsor, Senator Ndubueze just two months after the inauguration of the 10th Senate.
The Committee Chair Senator Abbas kickstarted the event with very robust introduction and was quickly followed up by a more elaborate presentation of the need and core essence of the Bill at this moment in our National economic and technical development.
Interested stakeholders and their representatives in attendance included: the the DG of PRODA, Prof Francis Ndubuaku,alongside the high echelon of her management; Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE),as well as affiliate/associated professional bodies bodies to the Society; high powered representatives from Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria(COREN); substantial section of the Media /Academia and representatives of various science and technological Institutes, Agencies, Organization,etc,who are first line beneficiaries of the services of PRODA.
All the discussants made very vital inputs towards fine-tuning the final content of the Bill,which will eventually be articulated and moved for the 3rd and final reading at the Committee of the whole Senate for ultimate passage.
In addition to the above industry discussants,Distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze furthermore had the full compliments of all his colleagues in the Science and Technology Committee, robustly led by the chairman Senator Aminu Abass,as well key SPN’s colleagues from the South East geopolitical zone,(the immediate catchment area of the Agency), which included Senators Orji Uzor Kalu(Abia,) and Victor Umeh(Anambra).
They also made their respective invaluable contributions during the discussion session towards strengthening the content of the Bill.
Others major Stakeholders in attendance from Senator Ndubueze’s Senatorial district, state and geopolitical zone are Hon Chidi Nwogu(former member of the House of Representatives, Barr Charles Ezekwem,an APC chieftain from Imo state,and Hon Jim Isilebo, Media/Public Relations Consultant.
At the end of the exercise,a very impressed and excited Senator Ndubueze expressed so much happiness and optimism that the Bill will eventually be seen to it eventual fruition after some past failed /still-birthed efforts by the past National Assemblies in the House of Representatives to move towards seeing through a similar efforts,which unfortunately could not materialize.
Lastly but hopefully,the final homeward journey towards the Bills passage will continue as soon as the Senate resumes from their current recess.
