Stakeholders have overwhelmingly endorsed the Bill for an Act to amend the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Act.
The support was expressed on Wednesday in Abuja during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.
The Bill, initiated by the RMRDC and sponsored by Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, primarily aims to ensure the processing of raw materials in Nigeria before export.
In their separate presentations, stakeholders, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), strongly advocated for the swift consideration and passage of the bill.
Representatives of the stakeholders said the amendment is required catalyst to turnaround the fortune of the country from exporting jobs and wealth abroad to generating them in the country
In his submission on the bill, the Director – General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council , Professor Nnanyelugo said final consideration and passage of the bill , will stop exportation of wealth and jobs to foreign countries by Nigeria through processing of raw materials before exporting them .
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee , Senator Iya Abbas, said since there was no opposing views to the proposed amendment bill, the committee will accordingly submit its report to the Senate soonest for final consideration and passage.
Bashir M
