By Theresa Igata
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has advocated for a national policy framework that would compel the expenditure of public funds on made in Nigeria goods and services.
Speaking at the Presidential combined launch of Industrial Revolution and National Enterprise Development Programme yesterday in Abuja, Obi while commending the president for his political will said that Nigeria government should channel its money spent in buying foreign products to buying made in Nigeria products because it is critical to our industries, stressing, “no country can survive without a strong industrial base”.
Citing his state as being local content compliant, he said that the cars used by his government are from Nigerian companies. “Let us make a policy that says spend government money on made in Nigeria products, and then the private money can be spent on buying foreign goods. Even if our local goods are not good today, they’ll be good tomorrow if we put our heads together”. He commended the president for his initiatives while encouraging him saying “those who bring change anywhere in the world are never loved because those who live off the whole blunder will never allow change”.
Obi who drew applause from the audience also had an ally in Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote who commended President Jonathan for summoning the political will to give a push to industrialisation. According to Dangote manufacturing holds the key to sustainable economic growth and the oxygen of manufacturing is local patronage.
Dangote lauded the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, for his drive which he noted has continued to attract more and more investors into the country. The billionaire entrepreneur said he is encouraged to invest more in the country because the indicators are right and the atmosphere good enough for more investment.
