Abuja – The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdu Bulama on Monday said his ministry would support Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) for the completion of Silicon Valley Project.

Bulama said this when he inspected facilities at the complex in Abuja.

He said that the ministry would intensify effort in collaboration with the international donor agencies for financial support to ensure the project was completed very soon.

According to him, the development of science and Technology Park will increase the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the country.

“We must develop our Silicon Valley; we will do everything under our mandate to ensure Silicon Valley becomes a reality.

“Hence, we are partnering with UNESCO, Poland and other international bodies to fast-track the process,” he said.

The minister commended the management of SHESTCO of the achievements, pointing out that the complex was able to use its allocation well to do much.

“For you to reach this level you must have used you resources well.

“You and your team in the management have done very well, I must commend you. But more is to be done.

“I urge you to improve your relationship with other agencies, even with your staff to enhance your productivity, ” he said.

Bulama also urged SHESTCO to collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders for mutual benefits.

The minister promised that he would do everything possible to carry everybody along to make a positive impact in science and technology.

“It is for us to promote science and technology using any strategy formally or informally to get every Nigerian to see science and technology as imperative for our national development.

“My dream is to lay the foundation where by, all the seventeen research institutes in the ministry will have a common scheme of service and a corresponding structured salary.

“We must develop our Science and Technology to meet the demand of the African development and improve its economy,’’ the minister said.

Earlier, the SHESTCO Director General, Prof. Thomas Sunday, thanked the minister for his support toward the complex in the few months he became the minister.

He stated that SHESTCO was a centre which was conceived by government to provide centralised facilities for researchers from all other parts of the country and other countries.

Sunday said that every staff of the complex was to carry out research directed at enhancing the economic development of the country.