On Monday, President Buhari signed Executive Order 5 aimed at improving local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba 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 Executive Order also stops the Ministry of Interior from issuing visas to foreign workers whose skills can be found amongst Nigerians.
However, Foreigners may be allowed to work in cases where expertise is lacking.
In the proclamation entitled ‘‘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.
It added 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.’’
