Compliance with executive order 5 will develop NESI ― Fashola

THE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Thursday, said compliance with the Executive Order 5 will boost development in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry(NESI).

He stated this at a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on minimum specification on Nigerian Content and Requirement for labour in the power sector and exhibition of local products/ services for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), held in Abuja.

According to him, diligent compliance with the provisions in the Order, will not only create jobs but also develop Nigeria’s scientific and engineering capabilities, stimulate innovation, social and economic development.

He lamented the heavy dependence of the NESI on imported human resources, material, equipment and services saying; “it is consequently vulnerable to foreign exchange availability and rates, to the extent that contracts for gas and generation are denominated in foreign currency.”

The Minister who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Procurement, Mr. Ahmed Abu, stressed the need to systematically develop Nigerian capacity and content in the industry for long term growth and stability.

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He added that; “ the objective is to deliberately utilize Nigerian human and material resources, goods, works and services in the industry, Opening up of the NESI at all levels of its complexity to involve Nigerian people and expertise, building capacities to support increased investment leveraging on existing and future investments to stimulate growth of Nigerian and Nigeria located enterprises among others.”

While commending the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) for developing the regulations on National Content Development for the (NESI), he urged them to monitor the operations of its licensees to ensure that the policy objectives of the government are met.

The Executive Order 5 was signed in February 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari to increase local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.

The 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.

It stated 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 President also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.

Earlier, NERC Chairman, Prof. James Momoh urged manufacturers to join in the implementation of the regulation of National content development for the power sector, 2014.

He recommended that affordability and quality should be prioritised to increase patronage and also appealed to stakeholders to ensure that they comply with standards and specifications.