Pharmaceutical Institute bemoans epileptic power supply to research, drug
NAN-HG-4
Electricity
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Feb. 24, 2017 (NAN) The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) says epileptic power supply to the institute is adversely affecting the progress in research and production of drugs.
Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, the Director-General of the institute, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the development has necessitated the sole reliance on electricity generating machines.
He said since the institute could not run 24 hours everyday using outside electricity supply, the progress in research, drug production, laboratory work and running the institute’s clinic had been greatly affected.
Gamaniel said the institute did not have enough budgetary allocation to cater for the extra cost of running on electricity generating set.
He called for support from private and public organisations.
“This institute is not supposed to run a day without power supply, but we are perpetually on electricity generating set.
“We have applied to the Government of Japan through the Federal Ministry of National Planning and Budget for solar panels which we can use to generate electricity here in the institute.
“The Japanese government said we are not a power institution but a pharmaceutical and medical related institution; hence we should rather apply for laboratory support.
“Laboratory support is another area where we need assistance in the institute, so we applied and we have received from the Japanese government a grant of almost $10 million.
“It is a grant that is to be used to buy essential equipment that we need in the institute. This is all geared towards minimising our dependence on the budget from the federal government,” Gamaniel said.
He said that although an institute in the United Kingdom had offered to assist the institute with 100kw of power, the federal government needed to pay installation fee of N3 million.
Gamaniel said the institute has also written to about 12 foundations asking for sponsorship of the project.
According to him, we are yet to get feedback but we will not relent in our efforts because a lot of people depend on the institute for their health needs. (NAN)
KRY/JIE/MST
Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Muhammad Suleiman Tola