The Senate has passed a bill to stimulate patronage for Made-in-Nigeria products, especially in the public sector.

This followed the successful consideration of the report of its Committee on Public Procurement on Tuesday. The Committee is Chaired by Sen. Joshua Dariye (PDP Plateau Central).

The Bill for an “Act to amend the Public Procurement Act to provide for and adopt a local content policy and timely completion of procurement processes and other related matter” subsequently passed third reading after the consideration of report.

In his briefing to Senate, Dariye said that the Bill, when assented to, will amend certain relevant sections of the 2007 Procurement Act to favour local manufacturers and ensure speedy completion of projects.

The Bill specifically seeks to amend section 15(1) of the Act by inserting additional clauses that would close the gap created by the Act.

He said: “Similarly, the issue of disposal which is an integral aspect of procurement has been aptly captured by the amendment in the new sub-clause 1(e). The committee has equally sustained the amendments of section 34(1,2) sought by the bill for the purpose of patronizing made in Nigeria goods: this will go a long way to encourage our Nigerian manufacturers.

“The amendment proposed by the bill in section 35 is to review upwards the mobilization fee from 15 per cent to 25 per cent that may be paid to a supplier or contractor. This is aimed at enhancing timely completion of Procurement Processes at various phases.”

The Senate in passing the bill also approved the inclusion of Nigerian institute of Architects and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Survey as members of the National Council on Public Procurement.

After presenting the report of the committee, the Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole for clause and clause consideration on the report; adopted the report of the committee and passed the billed for third reading.

Speaking after the passage of the bill, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki said that the new amendments to the Act would help stimulate the nation’s economy.

“We all have a role to play to ensure that the Executive comply especially in the area of giving first priority to locally produced goods,” he said, adding:  “This is has helped many countries to develop when they had issues of downturn in their economy.

“One of the things that we have done today is also trying to shorten the process of awarding contracts; this will go a long way in helping budget implementation. It would go a long way in ensuring that most of the funds are available as quickly as possible and jobs are actually completed.” Orderpaper.ng