By Benson Ezugwu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
In the Industrial cluster of Emene, a suburb of Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, is located the Projects Development Institute (PRODA).
PRODA, unarguably, is a pivotal player in Nigeria’s quest for a breakthrough in science and innovation and the search for self-reliance in homegrown products.
The institute was established in 1971, by the then Government of the defunct Eastern Region after the Nigerian Civil War with the motto: “Industrialisation Through Self Reliance.”
PRODA was designed to channel, through applied research and technological innovations, the energies and newly found confidence of indigenous engineers and technicians into finding solutions to the industrial development of the region and Nigeria.
The mandate of the institute includes, among others, to carry out research on industrial materials and processes to pilot plant stages, including engineering design, development and fabrication.
However, following the creation of Anambra and Imo States in 1976, the Federal Government of Nigeria took over the institute under the supervision of Nigerian Council of Science and Technology.
PRODA later became a Research Institute under the National Science and Technology Development Agency by decree No: 5, of 1977.
In more than 50 years of existence of PRODA, the institute has made significant strides in research and technological innovations in line with its mandate.
According to its Director-General, Dr Peter Ogbobe, most of its breakthroughs have been in the areas of Agro-produce processing machinery and other industrial mechanical appliances.
Ogbobe said that in line with this, the institute had through collaborations and partnerships with other relevant institutions, succeeded in many technological innovations.
The director-general said some of the products being produced by the institute included Garri Production Plant: two versions, an integrated fully mechanised, three tin/day plant; and mellon shelling machines.
“Currently, we also produce Cassava chipping machines; multipurpose electric dryer; and PRODA Palm Produce Processing Plant.
“Others are PRODA Fish Feed Pelleting Machines; Maize/Corn Sheller; Corn Threshing Machine; Soya Bean Floor Processing Plant; PRODA Mechanical Kneading Machine; as well as PRODA School Pencils.”
Ogbobe said that PRODA also produced Multiple-purpose Roasting Machine; Fruit Juice Extractor; Industrial Poultry Waste Dryer; PRODA Economical and Efficient Coal/Biomass Fuel Stove and PRODA Burners and Cookers.
“In addition, the institute has also produced foundry equipment, a coal-fired furnace for cottage foundries, and an oil-fired tilting-crucible furnace.
“PRODA has also produced Smokeless Briquettes from Nigeria Coals and Biomass, which means that the virtual dependence of the country on petroleum and petrol related products is over if well encouraged and utilised.”
Among other innovations by PRODA are smokeless briquettes, which could solve the twin problems of soil erosion in the Southern part of the country and desert encroachment in the North.
The institute has also mass- produced Centrifugal Water Pump for domestic trade and agricultural use; the pump may be powered either by electronic motor or by engine.
Another innovative technology breakthrough by PRODA is an electronic welding machine both for domestic and industrial structures.
PRODA has also produced a Stand-Alone Solar Street Light that uses sunlight collected during the day time to provide quality light at night in the environment where the system is installed.
It functions automatically and needs no attendance; it is best suited in providing night light along high ways, streets, compounds gardens and so on.
More so, PRODA produces Solar Electricity Generators (1KVA, 3KVA and 5KVA), a system that uses sunlight as fuel to generate usable electricity.
The electricity so generated can be used in homes, offices, and factories to electrically power equipment.
According to the director-general, it is the easiest means of achieving electricity generation in areas where public utility is difficult to install.
“It does not require the erection of poles, transformers, long distance cabling.
“The system can be designed and installed in various capacities from hundreds of watts to kilos,” he said.
Among other innovations by PRODA include Cottage Pottery Plant; Industrial Battery Charger; Pottery/Ceramic Wares; and Electrical Porcelain Insulators.
Worthy of mention, the institute has successfully produced an industrial battery charger capable of charging up to three lead acid batteries at a time among other technological innovations.
Speaking on the current innovations at PRODA, Mr Donatus Agu, Chairman of PRODA Governing board, said the institute was in the forefront of technology innovations in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Agu, who spoke recently, after the board’s tour of PRODA facilities, enthused that Nigeria was on the right path to realising its long quest for technological breakthrough.
“PRODA will not just be part of history; it is going to be at the forefront of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President that will advance Nigeria’s technology agenda.”
Agu described the products being produced by the institute as “fantastic’ and technology driven.
The board chairman assured the management and staff of the institute that the Federal Government would do all that was desirable to encourage more research and development in PRODA.
He said the Federal Government was determined to making PRODA the pacesetter in Nigeria’s quest for technological advancement and the benchmark for assessing the country’s technological innovations.
Agu called on the private sector to partner with the institute by taking advantage of its technological innovations for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.
A Senior Citizen, Mr Emeka Attamah, who was taken round the PRODA workshop recently to see some of the innovations being carried out by the institute, described PRODA as “under-reported.”
He said he was marvelled by what was going at agency.
“I am sure that if the Federal Government gives attention to what is happening here, it can solve many of our problems, especially in science and innovations,” he said.
In the same vein, Mrs Margerat Ugwueze, an entrepreneur and partner with PRODA, while commenting on the development at the institute, said it was unprecedented but highly unrecognised.
“I have been partnering with PRODA for years, but I can confidently say that what is happening in the institute surpasses anything that has occurred in its 50-year history,” she said.
Ugwueze urged the government to give maximum support to PRODA for further improvement and greater results, for the good of the country.
Recently, a team from the World Bank visited the institute in search of a suitable training facility for her T-VET training programme.
According to Ogbobe, the team recommended the institute to host the six months training of 100 youths.
“A team from the World Bank came here to inspect our training facilities and after the inspection they certified our training facilities.
“We are expecting them to send 100 trainees to us in a programme called T-VET,” Ogbobe said.
Ultimately, stakeholders believe that a systematic upgrade of PRODA’s infrastructure and equipment will ensure that locally fabricated machines and technologies not only meet modern standards but also possess the necessary suitability, reliability, and specific requirements for industrial growth.(NANFeatures)
***if used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.