…Works Ministry PS: Implementation of Order pathway to changing the narrative on Nigeria’s project/road infrastructure revolution
By Dele Ogbodo
The National Coordinator: Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order NO.5, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, has asserted that for Nigeria to improve its global competitiveness and its ranking in the global index, the need to focus on the full implementation of Executive Order NO 5 in all sectors of the economy has become urgent, compelling and imperative.
According to the National Coordinator, the Presidential Executive Order No 5 remains the touchstone of planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian Content in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
He underscored that it has become overarching across all sectors of the economy to push for global competitiveness of Nigerian goods and services through the knowledge economy drive and application of local content geared towards enhancing the value addition on the economy, create jobs, alleviate poverty and boost productivity.
In a statement signed by Josephine Ademu, Chief Information Officer, on behalf of the Deputy Director of Public Affairs/Communications in the Ministry, Mr. Atuora Obe, quoted Oguejiofor as driving home the assertion at a one-day sensitization workshop on the implementation of the Order at the Ministry of Works Headquarters, Mabushi in Abuja recently
On the richest nations/people globally, Oguejiofor, posited that the richest people in the world are those who are making money through knowledge based economy driven by Science Technology and Innovation (STI).
On the urgency to downscale the Order, he said: “The Executive NO5 is not theoretical but practical guide, adding that to understand and, participate in the Nigerian Content, Monitoring and Evaluation of programmes/projects, there is need to understudy and understand the parties to the Nigerian Content Implementation and its structures
He further described Nigerian content monitoring and evaluation as the watching or checking of Nigerian content activities and processes over a period of time to determine performance, progress and conformity by Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) with Nigerian content plan in the planning and execution of contracts and projects in Science and Engineering.
To this end, Oguejiofor, said that there are a number of factors that contributes to global competitiveness ranking which include institution, infrastructure, mi cro economy, amongst others.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary Dr. Yakubu Adams Kofarmata, who was represented by the Director Human Resource Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, said the sensitization programme underscores the importance of Executive Order No 5 in the promotion of Nigerian local content in the award of contracts and projects in the works sector for national development.
He further said that promoting local content will enhance and stimulate the economy to create a sustainable and more inclusive environment through the collective efforts 0f all stakeholders.
He then urged the Directors in the Ministry to leverage on the opportunities of Executive Order 05 to change the narrative in project implementation in the nation’s road infrastructure revolution.
Speaking, one of the facilitators, Mr. Eddie Amanam who spoke on the topic: “Fundamentals Principles of Executive Order No 5, said that government recognizes the need to entrench Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in everyday life as the component of development of the country.
He also said that the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology under ERGP 2017-2020 is to promote made in Nigeria goods in all sectors.
Also speaking, on the imperative of the Order, Mr. Emmanuel Sani, acknowledged its applicability to the mandate of Federal Ministry of Works, adding, that Nigerians come to the point where growth is appreciated and partnership is understood towards achieving the mandate and vision of the ministry.
He stressed that leadership is a decision, responsibility and hard work towards ensuring that the goods and services provided by the organization measure up with standards for global competitiveness.