In furtherance of his resolve to promote Made in Nigeria
products as one of the ways out of the current economic recession, Senate
President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday assured the nation's
manufacturers that the National Assembly would do all it takes to ensure
maximum patronage for their goods and services by government agencies and
Nigerians alike.
According to Saraki who spoke while receiving the President
of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, who led
other members of the executives of the group on a visit to his office in Abuja,
the Senate will not rest until the country overcomes her present economic
hardship occasioned by the recession.
He said apart from the Public Procurement Act which has been
amended by the Senate to drastically reduce the time wasted in the process of
procurement and award of contracts by the Federal Government, the Senate has
also amended the Railways Act and made provision for private investment in the
sector.
He added that the National Assembly will continue to enact
relevant legislation to fast-track the diversification of the economy by the
executive as well as to ensure stability in government's economic policies.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Sanni Onogu in Abuja, said: "We are very concerned about the
situation of the economy. It is our primary focus for the next few months and I
am sure with the support of everybody, we will get the country out of it.
"We will do whatever is necessary to find solution to
the crisis because Nigeria comes first. We are not afraid to say what we have
to say. Where we find ourselves today, we cannot continue to apportion blames
but to search for solutions. And your coming here is part of our search for
solution. We will take some of your suggestions and we will make sure we work
together.
"I want to assure you that this 8th Senate is very
committed to work very closely with MAN and to support local industries. Before
your visit, we have been very strong on how to revive the economy. We have
engaged the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. We have engaged with the private
sector to come out with bills that will support the economy of the country. We
are looking at how to improve on Bills that affect doing business.
"As you must have known that we have passed the bill on
procurement law, an amendment with two areas of interest. One area was to
shorten the time it takes for government to process the award of contracts.
"You will find out that this is one area where so much
time is lost and by the time the budget is approved they will go to tender the
bills and in the process, you will find out that almost the entire year is
gone. What we are hoping is that the House of Representatives will concur with
us so that the law will be effective immediately.
"Also, part of what we passed in that law is to make it
compulsory for government to patronize locally produced goods. This is the
practice you see in other countries," Saraki said.
Earlier, President of MAN, Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, urged
the National Assembly to ensure stability of relevant government's economic
policies like the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) through appropriate legislation.
Dr. Jacobs commended the diversification drive of the
present administration adding that efforts should be geared towards focusing on
the non-oil sector.
He also called for appropriate manufacturing financing that
would enable manufacturers to access loans with five per cent interest rates as
well as the inclusion of local content in locally produced goods.
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