The Federal Government has approved a new Science, Technology and Innovation policy for the country, the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, said on Friday.

Ewa made this known in his keynote address in Uyo at the Akwa Ibom Science & Technology (AKISTECH) Week Exhibition/Fair 2012, with the theme, “Uncommon Transformation Through Science & Technology”.

He said the new policy was a demonstration of the commitment of the Federal Government to the development of science and technology.

According to Ewa, the policy will drive national development in all spheres, including energy, agriculture, transportation, environment, health, and education.

“The history of developed countries around the world has confirmed that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) remains the platform that drives the potential within these sectors through research and development programmes (R&D).”

Ewa further stated that National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and Raw Materials Development Research and Development Council (RMRDC) would soon be established in the state as part of the Space Centre established at the University of Uyo.

In his remarks, the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said that Akwa Ibom would not relent in its commitment to science and technology as the field of human endeavour, where the frontiers of knowledge are being expanded.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Nsima Ekere, Akpabio said Nigeria should move in the direction of science and technology like those nations pushing frontiers of knowledge and breaking new grounds.

He assured the audience that the present administration would provide employment and encourage wealth creation as it continues to invest in science and technology and bring happiness to the people.

Akpabio urged the youth in science and technical institutions to take advantage of government’s huge investments in science education.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Comfort Etuk, underscored the essence of innovation in facilitating development.

Etuk stressed the need for the innovations to be geared towards harnessing, developing and diffusing locally developed technologies for production of goods of global standards..

The highpoint of the event was the inspection of exhibition mounted by school children.