Tasks executive on science, technologyTHE Upper Chambers of the National Assembly yesterday passed a motion mandating its committee to investigate all universities conducting Post-University Matriculation Examinations (UME) tests in the country.Following a motion titled, 'Illegal Subjection of Candidates to Examinations by Universities after the Test by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB)', moved by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa West Senatorial District), the Senate took time to examine the pros and cons of the exercise.And, ahead the 2012 budget preparation, the National Assembly has tasked the Federal Government to increase its budgetary allocation to the nation's science and technology sector.Speaking when he visited the site of a solar plant production site in Abuja, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, stressed that a virile science and technology sector was key to Nigeria's industrialisation agenda.The solar power plant being established by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is almost set for commissioning and would, according to the agency, locally produce the cells used to produce solar-power panels.Boroffice stressed that the plant would save money for the country.His words: 'One of the major problems Nigeria has today is energy. Unless we harness all the sources of energy that we have, the transformation agenda of Mr. President will just be a mirage.'Efforts by NASENI to produce solar panels and popularise the technology are commendable. Producing solar panels that will boost power generation in the country and create employment on the other hand.'Boroffice therefore, urged government to take local capacities in technology advancement more seriously by ensuring better funding and greater policy support.Director General, NASENI, Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, stressed that the plant would soon be commissioned, as the agency was putting finishing touches to the production line.Adewoye said NASENI would set up, manage and supervise the production of the solar cellsfor the next four years after which the plant would be commercialised and handed over to the private sector.In his submission, Lokpobiri noted that the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) was the authorised bodyconducting matriculation examination for entry into alluniversities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.He added that JAMB also appoints examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of the subject panel and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matters 'incidental thereto or connected therewith.''The Board also places suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions after having taken into account vacancies available in each institution,' he added.Lokpobiri observed that the universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and the other stakeholders were sufficiently represented in the membership of the Board, adding that the laws establishing the various universities 'empower them to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas, certificates and distinctions to persons who have pursued courses of study approved by the university and have satisfied such other requirements as the university may lay down.'However, the senator observed that in conducting the post-UME examination, virtually all universities charge fees and subject candidates to series of tests and interviews which most often take several days to conclude.He stressed that 'this is at grave costs to parents and guardians, and a clear violation of the JAMB Act.'Lokpobiri added that eventhe Registrar of JAMB has said that the post-UME test was unnecessary.He stated: Since JAMB is alive to its responsibility as provided by law, there would be no reason whatsoever to subject candidates to another round of illegal test at grave cost and its other attendant consequences.'Lokpobiri prayed the chamber to mandate its committee on education to undertake a comprehensive probe of all universities and other higher institutions conducting post-UME examinations in the country.Senators Datti Baba Ahmed, Ayogu Eze, Nkechi Nwogu, Abdul Ningi, James Manager, Nenadi Usman, Ahmed Lawal and Emmanuel Paulk supported the motion for several reasons while senators Olufemi Lanlehi, Aisha Al-Hassan, Boroffice and Gobir Ibrahim opposed it on diverse grounds.Boroffice, who was the founding Director general of the National Space Research and Development Agency added: 'It is rather unfortunate that the Federal Government is not committing enough funds to science and technology in the country .If we look at the level of funding in science and technology in any nation you will see a correlation between it and their income per capital when the funding of science and technology is high, per capital income also increases.
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