The President of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Mr Kenneth Nduka on Monday called on Federal Government to ensure political will toward the achievement of local content policies’ promotion.

Nduka made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while reacting to the implementation of the Executive Order Five earlier approved in the year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The executive order was approved in February, expected to give priority to local engineering companies and professionals in the award of contracts and procurement in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

According to the order, foreigners can be used only when there is no local expertise to carry out a project.

He said that the executive order was a welcome development and would reduce the rate at which Nigeria depended on foreign made products.

The NIOB boss said “executive order five can be easily implemented if the political will of those who put it in place is assured.

“It is a good development for the industry but when you are looking at implementation of policies, the sincerity of purpose comes in.

“We know that the country wants to achieve massive employment of people, massive deployment of resources and where expected goals are realised and for that executive order 5 to work, professionals must be recognised.”

Nduka also said that the quest for foreign goods among citizens needed control and professionals in the industry should exhibit good attitude toward the profession.

According to him, if the Ministry of Interior keys into the executive order and limit foreigners that come into the country for jobs meant for Nigerian professionals, there will be a headway.

He further said that government should build the enabling environment for the ease of doing business and foster the growth of the industry.

Nduka said “the law of the country and the statutory implications need to assure us that people who violate the provisions of the order will be prosecuted.

“The Federal Government should prioritise requirements; ensure that those trained with tax payer’s money from respective profession are allowed to bring in their inputs for better service delivery in the industry.

“The Federal Government should have an orderly manner with which to address the challenges of professional taxes and have a principled drive as leaders to ensure that the operating environment is made conducive for those who practice.”

He added that if the issue of professionalism, timely delivery, cost effectiveness, quality products must be addressed, financial resources that should support professionals should be made available when due. (NAN)

– Dec. 3, 2018 @ 11:17 GMT |