By Raymond Enoch
In a bid to strengthen local content in governance, improve a competitive contract system and put in place an enabling environment for ease of doing business in Engineering, science and technology, the Senate Committee on science and technology has conducted a public hearing on a Bill on Nigeria Content in Programmes , Contracts , Science and Technology and Innovation ( NOPCEST Establishment) Bill 2023 (SR) 1085 on the 26th of April 2023 at National Assembly, Abuja.
The Bills presented by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology are Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission Act Cap N.91 LFN 2004 Repeal and Reenactment, and the Nigerian Content in Programes, Contract, Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation, NOPCESITI Establishment No. SB. 2085 of 2023 sponsored by a Senator from Abia state and Senator Musa Mohammed Sani of Niger State which received overwhelming support for its passage despite some reservations expressed by other stakeholders.
Speaking at occasion the Representative of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and National Coordinator Presidential Order No 5 Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofo said that the Bill is timely and would therefore improve and consolidate the work they are currently doing through the appropriate legislative process that was set out by the Executive Order No 5.
Engr. Ibiam Oguejifo said that the NOPCESTI Bill when enacted would minimize challenges, bottlenecks and gaps inherent in the procurement process and also stimulate local content required by all institutions and agencies of government in line with the Executive Order No 5 issued by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Engr. Ibiam, “Although local content is accessible, it must be overseen to avoid exploitation from foreign sources. Domestic preference is not comparing local content to international content but gives the country preference when bidding domestically. All facets of the economy have local content, and the bill needs to be strengthened”.
Other speakers at the Public Hearing included a Procurement expert and Representative of over twenty Civil Society organizations (CSOs) Mr. Mohammed Bougei Attah who explained that procurement as intended by the current existing procurement Act of 2007 has been poorly complied with by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) added that the weaknesses of the Procurement Act 2007 justifies the enactment of NOPCESTI Bill into Law.
He revealed that the previous legislation has not complied with its letter and spirit not to talk of adhering to local content in process, as such Nigeria Content in Programmes , Contracts , Science and Technology and Innovation ( NOPCEST) ( Establishment) Bill 2023 (SR) 1085 to be enacted by the National Assembly is a step in the right direction and would guarantee local content required by law in the country.
Other experts from professional organizations, government establishments and the private sector spoke in favor of the Bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Content in Programes, Contract, Engineering, Science, Technology and Innovation, NOPCESITI.
For Chief Casmiar Obialom, JP, the Public Hearing session has taken a commendable step on National Development especially in promoting local content in government procurement and contracts in Nigeria.
He added that the Bill if passed into law, will create opportunities for local businesses and create a level playing field for local and foreign companies bidding for contracts and procurement in Nigeria which will in turn enhance innovation, create jobs for youth and improve the national Economy.
The Senate Committee on Science and Technology Chairperson Senator Uche Lilian Ekwuenefe, rounded off the discussions by assuring that the Committee will do justice at the passage of the Bill.