FG Assures Local Contractors, Professionals of Patronage
The federal government has restated its determination to give preference to Nigerian professionals in all government projects in order to grow the economy.
Besides, government has advised the private sector to invest in Research and Development (R and D) for manpower development so as to stimulate economic activities in the country.
Speaking at the launch of Polyurethane Laboratory donated to University of Lagos by Vitafoam, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonna Onu, said for the first time in the history of Nigeria, the federal government recently issued Executive Order Five which makes it mandatory for all government parastatals and agencies to patronise Made –in-Nigeria products without compromising standards.
Onu, also announced the decision to give priority to Nigerian Professionals either in the country or diaspora before considering an expatriate in award of contracts.
He noted that it is only a project which there is no Nigerian professional that an expatriate can be engaged.
Onu explained that the bane of Nigeria’s economy was overdependence on importation of goods which weakens currency, creates unemployment and consistently reduce the Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He lamented that Nigeria had over the years relied on income from commodity products, the prices of which are externally determined.
“The federal government has issued Executive Order Five. Under this, government shall patronise locally made products.
“But the products must be of high standard. Preference shall be given to Nigerian professionals before an expatriate is considered for any project or contract.
“This implies that operators in the private sector must invest in research and development in order to meet international standard. They should collaborate with the universities in manpower training,”Onu said.
In his keynote address, the company’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, explained that the donation of a Polyurethane Laboratory to the University of Lagos was in fulfilment of the promise made to the University authority by the Chairman of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Dr. Dele Makanjuola, at the 2016 Scientific Conference of the University where he initiated the need for such in Nigeria.
“We make bold to say that the equipment in this polyurethane laboratory is at par with any similar laboratory anywhere in the world.
“The choice of polyurethane laboratory as a CSR project was not merely for Vitafoam’s interest in the polyurethane industry.
“It was to honour and promote the efforts of Nigerian researchers and ensure their work is able to both compete well on the global stage and find relevance in industry.
“Among the key government agencies and parastatals that will find use for the services of this polyurethane laboratory include the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) – though they are currently working on one that will serve for different types of auto parts.
“Others are the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and the National Agency for
Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“It is expected that this specialized laboratory will be run as a commercial enterprise to generate revenue to fund other projects within the University.
“This polyurethane laboratory has a significant role to play in the federal government’s Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and recently the medium term Plan for Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), said Adeniyi.
He appealed to the federal government to continually evolve policies that engender ease of doing business in Nigeria in order to sustain enhance performance of the private sector.
According to him, government should endeavour to patronise products of the company because they are highly competitive.