By Bose Adelaja

THE Nigerian Academy of Engineering has said there is little or no hope in the nation’s economy until the technology-based planning is given adequate attention just as it called on practitioners to put in place policies capable to promote, direct and control technology in Nigeria.

In his welcome address during its President’s technology evening which took place recently at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos, President of the association Engineer Edet Amana, said it’s high time the nation shifted her attention from the economic-based planning to technology-based which is being used by countries like China and India to build themselves into super powers.

He also lamented the fact that the internet which has turned the world into a global village with great beneficial effect on the world economy has also expanded the scope for global criminal intentions and said solution to this, lies on the need to promote, direct and control technology.

He called on practitioners to sharpen their competitive edge and move from economic growth to economic development, “decision makers at federal, state and local governments, industry, academia and the press on need to make fundamental shift in their thinking. It is imperative that we drop our focus on “economic based” planning and move to “technology based” planning,” he noted.