Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said that the essence of the Executive Order 5 is to increase local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.
He said that the Executive Order is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy.
The Minister who spoke at the Stakeholders’ Workshop, organised by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Minimum Specification of Nigerian Content and Requirement for Labour in the Power Sector and Exhibition of Local Products/Service for Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, said that the president, in 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 Executive Order also prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria. It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies and forms with a demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such contracts” he said.
He also noted that in the proclamation titled: “Presidential Executive Order 5 for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology” the president also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.
According to the order, Fashola said, consideration shall be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.
“Diligent compliance with these provisions will create jobs, develop Nigeria’s scientific and engineering capabilities, and stimulate innovation, social and economic development,” he said.
The minister regretted that the Nigerian electricity supply industry is heavily dependent on imported human resources, material, equipment and services and so vulnerable to foreign exchange availability and rates to the extent that contracts for gas and generation are denominated in foreign currency.
“It is time to systematically develop Nigerian capacity and content in the industry for its long term growth and stability,” he noted.