The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has kicked against moves to scrap or merge the Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu.
Earlier this week, President Bola Tinubu ordered the full implementation of the Oronsaye report.
As a result, the government announced the merging, subsuming, scrapping, and relocation of several agencies.
PRODA was listed as part of the agencies to be merged or scrapped.
But briefing newsmen Thursday in Abuja, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said PRODA, being a key agency in the South East should be left alone.
He said: “A little look into history shows that PRODA was a creation of the defunct East Central State Government. It was created through an edict in 1971.
‘It was charged with the broad function of generating and catalysing industrialization by carrying out industrial research from the laboratory stage to the pilot plant stage and by rendering consultancy services to the Governments, industries and individuals.
“PRODA is one of the oldest research institutions under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. If it is scrapped or merged, a lot of people will lose their jobs. We don’t want that to happen.
“We once more reaffirm our unflinching support to Mr President as he navigates the country out of the present economic crisis.”
