…… As Sen Umeh drums support for Local manufacturers
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Senate on Thursday urged Federal Government to immediately suspend the TCN Tender for world Bank funded NMMP Phase 2 in order to undertake comprehensive review of the procurement criteria to prioritize local manufacturing and assembling in line with Local Content and Backward Integrated Policy that catalyzed local capacity building, employment generation and economic growth for Nigeria.
The Senate unanimously ordered the Transmission Company of Nigeria and other stakeholders to negotiate and engage the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) and the African Development Bank (AFDB) for alternative Loan if World Bank loan conditions do not favour local economic growth at this critical time of massive unemployment and devaluation of Naira in Nigeria.
The Senate passed this resolution after deliberations on a motion tilted “Urgent need to protect Local Meter Manufacturers in the ongoing National mass metering programme of federal government”moved by the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Umeh Victor Chukwuonyelu.
While moving his motion on the floor of Nigeria’s Senate, Sen.Umeh stated that the World Bank has approved a loan of one hundred and fifty -five million US Dollars only ($155,000,00) for the National Mass Metering programme.
He expressed worries that ongoing World Bank funded NMMP Phase 2 seek to promote foreign companies participation against competent and pre-qualified Local Meter Manufacturers will intimately result to loss of jobs and revenue. A deliberate Policy to prioritize Local Manufacturing will catalyse job creation and economic growth, he stressed.
“If the bidding process continues as it Is, the outcome would be disastrous to members of the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria who have invested billions of Naira in the sector and currently employs 10,000 workers directly and more than 30,000 workers indirectly” Senator Umeh said.
