EXPO 2018: Solar Powered Voting Device Ready For Use—-Minister

By Aminat Isah

Arrangements have been concluded by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) to organize the 2018 Science, Technology and Innovation expo with the improved solar powered electronic voting device developed by the National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

At a press conference held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed that this year’s expo themed: “Fast tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology“, is aimed at promoting commercialisation of research and development results to further aid diversification of the economy.

The Minister said: “We have improved on our solar powered electronic voting system, so much that we have taken it to INEC and showed it to the chairman and all the national commissioners, they where very impressed and a committee was set up we took it to the national economic council where the Vice President is the chairman and all state governors are members and showed it to them but I can’t say when the solution will be used whether in 2019 or 2022 that is a decision to be taken by INEC but our law now allows electronic voting”.

The expo, according to Dr. Onu is scheduled to hold from 5th to 9th of March in Abuja, ROYAL NEWS reports.

“This is as a result of the success achieved at the 2017 edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo Which was held from April 3 to April 7, 2017 and further spurred the interest of the investors to commercialise research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.

“One notes that the main objectives of the 2018 edition will include follow-up on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed as a result of the previous expo and promoting collaborations among research institutions and researchers/inventors.

“The event would encourage interactions between researchers and investors with a view to commercialising research results, inventions and innovations from Nigeria’s research and tertiary institutions; facilitate growth of indigenous manufacturing hinged on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as generally promoting STI culture in Nigeria”, he added.

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