The Plateau Government says it will commence the production of motorized wheelchairs, as part of efforts to revamp the state-owned Science and Technology Equipment production centres.
Mr Dan Manjang, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Jos.
He said the wheelchairs would be produced by the Plateau State Relevant Technology Centre and the Technology Incubation Centre (TUC), to generate more revenue for the state and alleviate the sufferings of the physically challenged people.
“ We are having consultations with the Plateau State Disability Commission to make locally made motorized wheelchairs for them instead of travelling outside the state.
“We would make the required facilities available and we would soon commence production in these centres.
“Consultations are also ongoing with ministries like education, health to patronize test tubes, school furniture and hospitals beds produced in these centres,“ he said.
Manjang said there were many untapped potentials in the science and technology centres like the jathropa plant where the oil produced in TUC Jos has different health benefits and can even be used as aviation fuel.
The commissioner expressed worry that government agencies seldom patronize the state-owned production centres, saying the gesture would boost productions, facilitate their sustenance and generate more revenue for developmental projects.
He said the Plateau Assembly has passed the Information Technology Bill, which seeks to set up an agency to be headed by a Director-General, saying when signed by the governor it would galvanize ICT issues in the state.
According to him, the state is working toward e-governance.
“We want to have a functional website and other social media handles like the twitter, instagram, facebook and many others where all activities of the state could be uploaded and existing information updated as required.
“The Ministry of Education has provided computers to 40 public secondary schools to facilitate internet access for research and other academic purposes.
“Five pilot schools have been supplied computers; the visats are being set up.
“We want all Local Government Areas’ secretariats connected to the internet; these are plans to meet global technology trend and enhance e-governance in the state,” he said.
