Kayode Ojewale
The need to patronise made-in Nigeria goods cannot be
overemphasized as it is one major way to economic growth and development. The
economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods are promoted
through patronage, first by its people then through export. It is however
dispiriting to know that we obviously have been growing other countries’
economies through our over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which
have local substitutes. Nigeria can easily experience a breakthrough in the
quest for local content development and a stable, strong and advanced economy
if Nigerians would patronise made-in-Nigeria products.
In a decisive move to grow and promote the economy, Minister
of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, reiterated the government’s
determination to promote made-in-Nigeria products by giving preference to
Nigerian professionals in the execution of all government projects. Dr. Onu
said that the Federal Government had issued Executive Order No. 5, which made
it mandatory for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronise
made-in-Nigeria products without compromising standards.
It will be recalled that the executive order was signed in
February, 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari, titled “Presidential Executive
order 5 for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian contents
in contracts and science, engineering and technology.” This order is a welcome
development and a step in the right direction towards growing Nigeria’s weak
economy. The executive order, if well implemented and carried out, will not
only create job opportunities but it will also ensure that those jobs for which
local expertise are available are not taken over by foreigners.
One of the lines in the Executive Order reads, “Procuring
authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award
of contracts in line with Public Procurement Act 2007.” Another proclamation in
the Order says, “Consideration shall only be given to foreign professional
where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not
available in Nigeria.”
The yawning lacuna between where we are as a country and
where we ought to be can only be bridged if this order is fully adhered to by
the concerned authorities. Making these laws or giving directives is one of the
two-sided steps to economic development in Nigeria. The other step is
compliance. The government is therefore urged to monitor adherence and ensure
compliance to this order in all government MDAs. Any MDA flouting it must be
punished accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.
Charity, they say begins at home and this necessitated the
crusade and campaign for patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods to be enforced
first at government ministries and agencies. If the statement by Dr. Onu is
anything to go by regarding punishment and sanction for non- complying MDAs,
then we are on the right path to true economic recovery.
The Science and Technology Minister made it clear that the
bane of Nigeria’s economy is over-dependence on importation of goods which
weakens the currency, creates unemployment and consistently reduces the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). He said further that, Nigeria had over the years relied
on income from commodity products, the prices of which are externally
determined.
According to the Minister, the Executive Order which seeks
to promote locally made goods will trigger a silent revolution in how we think
as a people and how we regard science and technology as the missing link in our
quest to become a truly great nation.
It is quite interesting to know that the Executive Order
bars the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills
are readily available in Nigeria. This is pivotal in order to avoid falling for
the shenanigans of the so-called ‘expatriates’ who may even be illegal aliens
with no qualifications but are only experienced in one area of work
specialization.
Not only will poverty be kept at bay in our country but also
the teeming youths of working class background would be productively engaged if
we all unanimously begin to patronise Nigerian products. The gainful employment
of the nation’s abundant local labour is guaranteed if an outright ban is
placed on massive importation and consumption of foreign products with no local
value addition and which can be replaced with local products.
There is also need to shun the culture of giving employment
preference to expatriates ahead of our indigenously trained professionals who
are intelligently capable of doing the same job. Our over-dependence on
imported products will dwindle thereby growing our economy and promoting our
local content if we as Nigerians will patronise made-in-Nigeria products.
This way, the nation becomes self-reliant in producing and
utilising goods produced by itself. This will create wealth and reduce poverty.
Going forward, it is therefore high time we changed our
orientation and psyche as a nation from an addicted penchant for foreign
products and services to valuing our locally made goods in order to boost and
develop our economy.
Kayode Ojewale writes from Idimu, Lagos via
kayodeojewale@gmail.com
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