Buhari Signs Executive Order to Prevent Foreigners Snatching Nigerian Jobs
Nigerian
President, Muhammadu Buhari has signed an Executive Order 5 to improve
local content in public procurement with science, engineering and
technology components.
The President signed the order on Monday in Abuja.
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
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 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 firms with a demonstrable and
verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such
contracts.
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
adds 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.’’