Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, on Friday said the Bio-resources Development Centre at Odi in Bayelsa has developed indigenous technology for chemical “fingerprinting of crude oil.”

The minister said at the inauguration of the Advanced Bio-resources Laboratory and Livestock Feed Mill that the technology would assist in tracing stolen crude.

According to him, the laboratory will also conduct genetic profile of indigenous plants and animal resources with a view to preserving the nation’s rich bio-diversity resources.

He charged researchers in the country to focus more on market driven research and development to further close the gap between research institutes and the society.

“The Federal Government has seen disconnect between researchers, the society, industries and we have resolved to change the narratives and the results are already with us.

“Earlier this week, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with three companies to commercialize indigenous research findings.

“And I have directed the research fellows here to focus on research themes relevant to the society.

“We have for so long been dependent on foreign concerns for technology and it has not been to our economic advantage,’’ the minister said.

Onuh stressed that researchers should begin to look inwards and develop local solutions to the country’s peculiar challenges, adding that the ministry was deploying technology as a tool for economic development and job creation.

Earlier, Mr Josiah Habu, Director of the bio-resources centre, noted that the laboratory would boost research efforts in the country and assist the centre in meeting its mandate.

“The inauguration of this facility is a plus for researchers and it will go a long way in enhancing our effectiveness in research, field trials and promotion of biotechnology processes,’’ Habu said.

The director explained that the bio-resources centre was established in 2003 to extend research into untapped bio-resources in rural areas.

THE GUARDIAN