The Minister of State for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar has inaugurated the committee on the executive order on local content. She charged the members to work assiduously for the success of the executive order. The Minister stressed the need to encourage local manufacturers as this will lead to employment generation and reduction in crime rate.
She noted that unless people learned to appreciate and patronize home made goods it would be difficult to bring down the level of poverty. The Minister urged members to carefully study the terms of reference and come up with ideas that would result in a robust local content policy. She stressed the need for members to submit their report within the stipulated time line.
The Executive order 003 was signed on the 18th of May, 2019 the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to provide support for local content in public procurement by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, [MDAs]. This was aimed at increasing the demand for locally made goods and services.
In order to actualize this, government set up a Technical Working Group to ensure that MDAs comply with the 40% minimum threshold for local content of respective MDA expenditure, especially in the eight prioritized areas such as uniform and footwear, food and beverages, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, furniture and fittings and stationaries.
Members of the Committee include: The Federal Ministries of: Industry Trade and Investment; Interior; Power ,Works and Housing; Bureau of Public Procurement; Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Information Technology Agency NAFDAC and the Consumer Protection Council.
Others are: National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, National Automotive Council, National Development and Monitoring Board; Office of National Content. Also included are Nigerian Immigration Service; Nigerian Police Force; Nigerian Customs Service and the Defense Headquarters.
Umar Maryam Yusuf
For: DD Press, FMITI.
