By Emma Elebeke

THE Federal government on Monday, says work is to commence at the proposed Silicon Valley at Sheda Science and Technology Complex, SHETSCO with a feasibility studies to begin this month.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Okon Ewa Bassey stated this at a one day stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja.

He also disclosed that Nigeria had received a $7 million offer from the World Technopolis Association, Poland for waste to wealth facility at the technology park.

The money according to him, would be used to convert all the technology and e-wastes from the park into wealth.

He said that the transformation of the Technology park had become imperative to enable the country catch up with other technologically advanced countries in the world.

‘‘The need to catch up with other advanced countries of the is the immediate impetus for the country’s desire to establish the SHETSCO Silicon Valley, as a platform for developing and harnessing the potentials of job and wealth creation, technological advancement and economic development of Nigeria, and more importantly to become the main hub for technological inventions, development and manufacturing both for Nigeria and African regional market,’’ said the minister.

As part of efforts aimed at fast-tracking the development process, the minister said he had secured the assistance of the World Technopolis Association, WTA at the 8th WTA General Assembly in Poland for the establishment of the SHETSCo Silicon Valley.

In addition to this, he said that the ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU with the President, Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. G.P Bud, Peterson this month.