By IFEANYI OLANNYE

Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Ughara, Delta, says the institution needs a patent for the mass production of its fuel less generator innovation.

He said that this would contribute to resolving the energy supply challenges facing the country.

The rector stated this at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council, Journalists Hangout on Sunday in Asaba.

He said that the innovation was safe, cost effective and would complement the ailing power supply in the country.

He said that innovation has been tasted and passed several processes before being presented for use by the school management.

He said that the 2.5kva generating set was environmentally friendly, safe and has the capacity to run for 21 hours.

According to Ufuophu-Biri, the two-year old project came to fruition this year after spending huge sums for the research.

“Recently, we partly showcased the innovation because we are yet to officially present it to His Excellency, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of the state.

“However, we did the presentation before the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, during our second serial inaugural lecture on July 25.

“We will officially present it to the governor and government so that it becomes an invention not by the polytechnic but a product of Delta state and by extension a product of Nigeria.”

He noted that the Idea was first muted when he was selected on a tour of certain energy facilities in the United States of America.

“When I assumed office as the rector, during the first matriculation I held, I noticed a power shortage, and the costs of maintenance.

”I declared that there was the need to commission a body of experts, innovators from the school of engineering and I gave them a simple task. That in short time we should not be relying on public power supply.

“Get us an alternative source of power which should deviate from the convention, not biofuel, solar, gas or hydro driven but a rare system with working symbiotic mechanism, effortlessly and reliable,” he said.

Ufuophu-Biri said that the research work was funded by the school management with the support and encouragement from the state government.

According to him, the generator is effective, efficient, and noiseless with a remote system to switch it on and off.

The rector added that certain individuals have shown interest to buy the patent of the technology.

He said that all relevant stakeholders would be engaged at the state levels including the state Ministries of Justice, Trade and Investment, and Science and Technology.

He said that this would ensure the right things were done in arriving at a decision on this.

According to him, the polytechnic has other innovations like the water pumping machine and a digital signboard which were being funded by the institution.

Earlier, the State NUJ Chairman, Mr Churchill Oyowe, lauded the rector and the polytechnic for the innovation geared towards solving the challenge of power shortage in the country.

He also challenged institutions of higher learning in the country to provide solution to the many challenges bedevilling the nation rather than producing graduates without innovative skills. (NAN)

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