By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed
A bill which seek to make it mandatory for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to give priority to local manufacturers and
indigenous companies in the procurement of goods and services.
The bill which was sponsored by Rep. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II of Lagos State, and consolidated with Rep. Obi Aguocha and Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi, aims to give priority to local manufacturers and indigenous companies, and also to prohibit the exclusion of locally produced goods in the procurement process.
This piece of legislature “Local Industry Patronage Bill, 2024”, aims 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.
According to Rep. Onuakalusi, 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.
Rep. Jessy, said it 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 and shall strengthen our Currency (the Naira and then country towards economic self reliance.