The Katsina State Government has signed an agreement with the National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, to establish an engineering materials and equipment development institute to ensure the optimal extraction and utilization of silicon in the state.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice Chairman of the agency, Engineer Mohammed Haruna, said this when he led other management staff of the agency, on a courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Masari, Engineer Haruna said the essence of the agreement is to enhance the production of silicon following the discovery of an abundant and pure deposit of silica in the state.
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He said the centre is the eleventh to be established, adding that when the centre takes off, it will concentrate on research in silica, towards the development of silicon that will be used for the production of solar cells or solar energy and other related technology.
Governor Aminu Masari, told the visiting delegation, he believed the initiative is coming at a time when the state government had written letters to various Federal agencies, regarding the issue and promised to give the agency all the needed cooperation to establish the institute, as well as other resources needed to make it functional.
Silicon is also used in the production of electronics, advanced computer equipment, communication and mobile devices as well as automatve equipment .
(Edited by Oloyede Oworu)