It is good news for Plateau State as all is set for the establishment of Food Processing Equipment & Machinery Development Institute (FOPEMDI) which is expected to takeoff in the first quarter of 2022 in Plateau State.

This is also in line with the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari in diversifying the economy in order for the Nation to be less dependent on oil.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Abuja has on 28th October, 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Plateau State Government through the State Ministry of Science and Technology for the institution of Food Processing Equipment & Machinery Development Institute (FOPEMDI) to be located in Jos.
President Muhammadu Buhari who is the Chairman of the Governing Council of NASENI endorsed the establishment of the Institute in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

While signing the MOU on behalf of NASENI, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani disclosed that the MOU would focus on transfer of technology acquisition, entrepreneurial training, technology and brokerage, technological and managerial backups from NASENI to make the Institute and Plateau State succeed since the State had demonstrated tremendous interest and also laid the right foundation for transfer of NASENI technology and engineering resources to be used directly to developing the Nation’s economy.

He hinted that the Institute will takeoff by the first quarter of 2022.
He disclosed that the MOU will examine other related areas of collaboration with Plateau State.
He posited that the MOU will ensure that both parties collaborate towards the springing up of entrepreneurs, sourcing of startup capital for commercialization of new innovative products, sourcing of potential investors for commercialization of products and provision of business development activities in the food processing sub-sector.

At the signing of the MOU, Representative of the Executive Governor who is the Plateau State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Hon. Gyang Musa said the people of the State are anxiously waiting for the takeoff of the Institute.
He lauded the efforts made by Gov. Simon Lalong in lobbying the Institute to the State.

He further stated that the state has never had it so good in the area of scientific advancement support from the federal government as it is currently under the Governor Simon Lalong led Administration.

“Significant progress has been made in the State through science and technology especially in the aspect of innovation and robust deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the governance processes”

“The State is taking full advantage of the global technological breakthroughs” he said.

He hinted that once established, the Institute will create jobs to thousands of Youths in the State which in turn will boost revenue generation and the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

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Plateau Science Ministry Wins Big as Food Processing Equipment & Machinery Development Institute is Underway