By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Bill seeking to make it mandatory for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to give priority to local manufacturers and
indigenous companies in the procurement of goods and services has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II, Lagos State, the bills was consolidated with Obi Aguocha and Nnamdi Ezechi. It aims to give priority to local manufacturers and indigenous companies, and also to prohibit the exclusion of locally produced goods in the procurement process.
The objective of the Local Industry Patronage Bill, 2024 is to allow for local goods and services to be mandatorily given priority, with no exceptions to any furniture, machine, motor vehicle, equipment, agricultural implements, oil and gas, either manufactured, assembled, coupled, produced and refined locally in Nigeria.
Onuakalusi said it is to promote made in Nigeria goods and services by inviting and encouraging more talented Nigerian Industrialists who, for lack of patronage and conducive environment to operate, have not come out to showcase their talents.
He said it is also to reduce overdependence of Nigerians on importation of virtually all the good and services that we consumed when we can qualitatively and quantitatively manufacture and produce by us, Nigerians.
He said it also aims to bring about more researches and discoveries of new talents in all indigenous good and services as well as assist in improving made in Nigeria goods and services to an international standard to compit with Europe, America and Asia Countries.
He said the Bill is also of great economic value as it shall attract both foreign and local investors to invest on made in Nigeria goods and services
The lawmaker said it shall strengthen our Currency (the Naira and then country towards economic self reliance.
