By Rukayat Moisemhe
Real sector stakeholders on Tuesday called for enhanced public procurement policies aimed at influencing the direction of the country’s manufacturing sector and enhancing its industrial development.

They made the call at the three-day Made in Nigeria Exhibition and the 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event’s theme is: “The Imperative of Intentional Development of the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector in an Era of Economic Downturn.”

The acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Olusegun Omotola, said that sound public procurement policies was useful in improving Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

Omotola said while the manufacturing sector was not insulated from certain economic challenges, it was important to keep sight of its immense potential of positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global market.

“The time for half-measures and piecemeal solutions has passed and so we need a comprehensive, intentional approach to developing our manufacturing sector.

“This approach must be rooted in sound policies, strategic investments and unwavering commitment from both the public and private sectors.

“We must double down our efforts to promote local content and patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Government at all levels must lead by example through effective enforcement and implementation of existing local content policies across all ministries, departments and agencies,” he said.

Omotola added that the power of public procurement; the process by which government entities acquire goods, works and services, was a powerful tool that could shape our economy.

He said that BPP, in line with the renewed hope agenda, was already taking measures to protect and support the manufacturing sector through its proposal for the amendment of the current Public Procurement Act 2007.

He stated the willingness to collaborate with key stakeholders, ministries, industrial associations and others to develop intentional policies, roadmaps and implementation frameworks to deliver sustainable economic growth.

He proposed reform enhancements to further strengthen the country’s public procurement policies and their impact on local manufacturing.

He called for an expanded preferential treatment for local content purchase from 40 per cent to 70 per cent for key sectors and stricter enforcement mechanisms of the policies.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President, MAN, noted that manufacturing in Nigeria had continued to innovate and improve in quality and product diversification, even in the face of daunting challenges.

Meshioye said in Nigeria’s journey to deepen industrialisation and contribute to economic development, it was important to draw meaningful inspiration from countries that have deliberately prompted their manufacturing sector.

He said that a good example was the Made-in-China (MIC 2025) government initiative.

The Made-in-China initiative is a 10-year comprehensive strategic plan by the Chinese government focusing on intelligent manufacturing in 10 strategic sectors.

The aim is to cut down China’s reliance on foreign technology imports, boost domestic manufacturing and enhance local product production for local and international market.

Meshioye stressed that Nigeria had the potential to reenact this feat with intentionality in approach to accelerate the development of domestic production.

“The promulgation of Executive Orders 003 and 005 affirms the government’s commitment to facilitating domestic production, as well as patronage of local products.

“However, the absence of effective implementation remains a major and unfortunate concern, so we call on all government ministries, departments, and agencies to fully comply with the orders.

“Fellow manufacturers, as we strive for improved patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products, we must not let the quality and standards of what we produce slip to enable us consistently win consumer trust,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma