Nigerian leaders have been urged to put to practice their advocacy for made-in-Nigeria goods.
Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu says it amounts to hypocrisy for leaders to canvass for patronage of locally produced goods with their followers, while they purchase foreign goods.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Made-in-Aba Trade Fair in Abuja yesterday, the governor emphasised that this was the best way to improve the economy.
According to Ikpeazu, buying made-in-Nigeria goods will help conserve the nation’s foreign reserve and strengthen the naira against the dollar, thereby making the country financially healthy and self-dependent.
This, he said, will not only add value to the Nigerian economy but also boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is required to be healthy at all times for smooth and economic progression.
Nigeria currently occupies 169th position on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index out of 189 economies.
Analysts say buying made-in-Nigeria goods will help to boost domestic production, thereby encouraging technology transfer and also improve Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
In his remarks, Senate president, Bukola Saraki, assured that the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to ensure that domestic manufacturers and service providers had the enabling environment to thrive.
According to Saraki, the Public Procurement Law already amended by the Senate would ensure that Nigerian manufacturers benefit from the over N2 trillion in government procurement contracts.
He said the initiative would drive the nation towards the path of economic sustainability and prosperity.
Represented by Bala Ibn Na’Allah, deputy majority Senate leader, Saraki said: “This is precisely what we have done. With the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, which has passed final reading in the Senate, and is making its way through the House of Representatives. We are in the process of making it easier for manufacturers and entrepreneurs around the country to benefit from the over N2 trillion in government procurement contracts.
“Additionally, my office, has launched the Made in Nigeria Challenge, which is aimed at showcasing the innovative ideas of Nigerian businesses. Through this challenge, which is still ongoing, we hope to identify goods, services and other products that can be matched with investors and government agencies, to further the plight of our homegrown businessmen and women.”
On his part, the director-general, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dikko Radda, commended the initiator of the programme and senator representing Abia South in the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
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