Buhari signs bilateral air agreements with five countries

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed an executive order
prohibiting issuance of visas to foreign workers whose skills are
readily available in Nigeria.

The executive order, signed on Monday in Abuja, is “to improve
local content in public procurement with science, engineering and
technology components”.

“The executive 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,” Garba Shehu,
presidential spokesman, announced in a statement.

“The president, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the
constitution, ordered 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 executive order also prohibits the ministry of interior
from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily
available in Nigeria.

“It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring
entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a
demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior
to the award of such contracts.

“In the proclamation entitled ‘Presidential executive order 5
for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian
content in contracts and science, engineering and technology.”

The statement added that the president also directed ministries,
departments and agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the
planning, design and execution of national security projects.

It adds that ‘‘consideration shall only be given to a foreign
professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority
that such expertise is not available in Nigeria”.

The executive order is the fifth signed by this
administration.

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed an executive order
prohibiting issuance of visas to foreign workers whose skills are
readily available in Nigeria.

The executive order, signed on Monday in Abuja, is “to improve
local content in public procurement with science, engineering and
technology components”.

“The executive 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,” Garba Shehu,
presidential spokesman, announced in a statement.

“The president, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the
constitution, ordered 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 executive order also prohibits the ministry of interior
from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily
available in Nigeria.

“It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring
entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a
demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior
to the award of such contracts.

“In the proclamation entitled ‘Presidential executive order 5
for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian
content in contracts and science, engineering and technology.”

The statement added that the president also directed ministries,
departments and agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the
planning, design and execution of national security projects.

It adds that ‘‘consideration shall only be given to a foreign
professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority
that such expertise is not available in Nigeria”.

The executive order is the fifth signed by this
administration.