Funmi Ogundare
The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) has refuted the claim by the Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA), Mr. Olarenwaju Suraju, over the current state of the institute.
The institute stated that renovation works are ongoing to make the premises more conducive for members of staff in order to boost productivity; and that laboratories are functioning optimally.
In a letter to President Bola Tinubu, published in a news media (not THISDAY ), the agency had called for the relocation of the Director- General of the institute and other important departments from Abuja to Lagos to save cost and increase efficiency.
According to the letter, “since the appointment of the current Director- General of FIIRO, Dr. Jummal Tutuwa, and the board, the institute seems to have forgotten its mandate and productivity. The environment of the institute in Lagos appears like an old dumping ground without any meaningful activities to justify the decades of investment in the institute.
However, the Head of Information and Public Relations unit of the institute, Mr. Chris Olumuyiwa in a statement, explained that its pilot plants, fabrication workshops and laboratories are producing optimally.
He stated that over the years, the institute has made meaningful contributions to the economic development of Nigeria through the provision of technologies that can accelerate industrialisation in the country.
“We have not deviated from this mandate,” he said.
Olumuyiwa described the recent comments by HEDA over the state of affairs in FIIRO as that made from a point of ignorance and deliberate attempt to mislead Nigerians.
According to him, “Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju of HEDA did not make any move to see things for himself in the institute neither did he exercise due diligence to follow the trend of positive comments and commendations from stakeholders in research and development.
“The doors of the institute has always been open for all and sundry. HEDA is free to see things for themselves. The organisation should refrain from acts and counsels that can mislead the administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
He stated that all the technical departments of the institute are engaged in at least four research activities per department to meet with the socio-economic yearnings of Nigerians.
“The commendation from the Minister for Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, over development in FIIRO attests to the fact that we are on course.
“We have would-be investors that throng the premises on an average of two per day. We are working in collaboration with trade organisations, local and state governments,” he said.
Olumuyiwa stated that under the leadership of the DG, FIIRO will not relent in rolling out programmes that will help boost the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
