Obasanjo restates focus on better economy
From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday reiterated the commitment of his government to foster an economy that is technology-driven, private sector-led and knowledge-based.
The President spoke when he commissioned the hi-tech food preservation facility, Gamma Irradiation Facility and launched the drug, NICOSAN, developed locally for the management of sickle cell diseases.
Developed by scientists at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Idu, Abuja, the product is a non-toxic, natural herbal drug,
composed of extracts from local plants.
The drug is now being produced by Xechem Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Xechem International Incorporated based in New Jersey, United States of America (U.S.A) and produced within the premises of Sheda Science and Technology Complex.
From the assessment of the Chief Executive Officer of Xechem International, Dr. Ramesh Pandey, Nigeria stands to earn a yearly income of over $150 million from exporting the drug to the international community.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun said at the ceremony that the drug, which had gone through various levels of certification at the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had been granted an Orphan Drug status by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America (U.S.-FDA). This, he said, had given it further credibility and international acceptability for the
management of sickle cell disease.
Obasanjo, who could not hide his joy at the facilities, noted that the government had not lost focus of its vision of re-engineering the science and technology sector to make Nigeria a key participant and stakeholder in the application of new and emerging technologies.
The President said: "Today's activities also further confirm my strong belief that the frontiers of development are within the reach of any determined and committed society that takes science and technology seriously with the determination to uplift
its citizenry to a state of prosperity."
He stressed that the essence of the reform in the sector had been to improve the performance of the sector, make it more proactive to the country's national needs and enhance its efficiency in service delivery.
Stressing that the Gamma Irradiation Facility would transform food preservation in the country and make certain agricultural products available all year round, he described the facility as "a high priority project with significant commercial undertones."
Already, the President has approved the privatisation of the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the next three years. This is to enable private sector operators tap into the facility and make it yield the enormous economic dividends for which it was set up.
Expressing immense joy at the production of the sickle cell drug in country, Obasanjo lamented that persons afflicted with sickle cell disease suffer crises which could result in damage to the kidneys, lungs, bones, eyes and the central nervous system.
The Gamma Irradiation Facility is an important multipurpose facility with diversified applications, which according to the Minister of Science finds ready applications in the preservation of food and agricultural products, pest control, healthcare
delivery, packaging and improvement of mechanical properties of materials such as rubber latex plastics and electrical cable, among others.
Officials of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency told reporters that the facility had gone through various levels of assessment and had acquired five of the agency's licences within the last one year.
Speaking on the facility, Isoun said: "The multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Plant has a large production hall. It is the most modern commercial irradiation plant in Africa, and one of the most modern of its type in the world characterised by the
state-of-the art technology. Its irradiation source is a 340k Cobalt-60 source. The facility will be managed in collaboration with other technical partners, who have acquired vast experience in the management of similar facilities."
Discussions are also said to be on-going with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to designate the facility as a regional Centre of Excellence in Food Irradiation.
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