By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to allocate more resources to pay more attention to the needs of critical institutions like the National Research Institution for Chemical Technology (NARICT) to meet the aims and objectives of their creation.
Comrade Usman Baba Kankia, NANS National Secretary General, while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Kaduna, expressed delight over the promotion of competency above sectarian consideration and primordial sentiment that has now made NARICT a model for other government agencies to emulate, saying that under Prof. Jeffrey Tsware Barminas, national unity and cohesion has been promoted and staff now have equal opportunities to contribute their quota to advancing the course of the institution.
He explained that NARICT under Prof. Jeffrey oversees the construction of the NARICT Nuclear, Biological and Radiological De-Contamination Laboratories fitted to treat victims of nuclear, biological and radiological attacks in Nigeria, saying that it has the capacity to assist Nigeria detect nuclear, radioactive and biological attack on the Nation’s territory.
On Infrastructure, NANS National Secretary General further explained that the DG has upgraded and facelifted the face of NARICT facilities such as Administrative Offices, Research Laboratories, Libraries and many more, adding that the institution also witnessed rapid transformations of the Institutions infrastructure covering Electricity, Road network, Water Supply, Drainage and many other areas witness similar midas touch of the innovative DG despite shortfall in Revenue.
He said that a few days ago, there was a misconception over the DG’s tenure in office that has become a popular topic among various groups and persons of interest, stressing that NANS submitted a letter seeking clarification on the allegations of tenure expiration, corruption and nepotism as well as to seek clarity that will enable NANS take decision on concrete and reliable information.
“While awaiting the response of the DG/CEO, we also carried out our independent findings and came to the conclusion that the allegations of nepotism, staff victimization and corruption are in part and whole misleading, untrue, unverified and should therefore be ignored. While we are on it, the Director General responded comprehensively to the inquiry of NANS via a letter signed by the DG/CEO, responding in detail to all the allegations raised, to buttress his submission, the letter was accompanied with supporting documents and everything needed to be understood by NANS is now in clear perspective,” he explained.
Usman Baba Kankia stated that since the inception of his tenure, the DG has repositioned NARICT to deliver on the mandate establishing the institution to further research in areas of chemical Technology, Entrepreneurship, National Security and has impacted positively on the Nigerian economy.
