Local Content: Buhari Signs Executive Order For Science, Technology Procurement
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday signed into existence Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.
A statement dated Monday, February 5, 2018 by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, said the Executive Order is meant to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy.
According to Shehu, the President, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the Constitution, ordered that all ‘‘procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.’’
The presidential spokesman also stated that the Executive Order prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria.
He however said where expertise is lacking; procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such contracts.
The Presidential aide further stated that the declaration tagged: “PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 5 FOR PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF PROJECTS, PROMOTION OF NIGERIAN CONTENT IN CONTRACTS AND SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY”, also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.
Similarly, it states that ‘‘consideration shall only be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.’’