Saraki hails FG’s directive on local vehicle purchases, recalls 2016 Senate bill

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has welcomed the Federal Government’s directive requiring ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to purchase vehicles from licensed local assemblers, describing the policy as an opportunity to promote domestic production, create jobs and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.

Saraki said the directive reflected the principle that government spending should stimulate the Nigerian economy by supporting local manufacturers and encouraging investment in domestic industries.

In a statement shared on his X account, the former Kwara State governor recalled that the 8th Senate passed a bill in June 2016 seeking to amend the Public Procurement Act to make preference for Nigerian-made goods mandatory.

He said the proposed amendment centred on Section 34 of the Act, with the replacement of the word “may” with “shall” to strengthen the obligation to prioritise locally produced goods in public procurement.

“At the heart of that effort was a simple but significant change in Section 34: replacing ‘may’ with ‘shall’,” Saraki said.

He argued that prioritising locally assembled vehicles and other Nigerian-made products could help sustain existing jobs, create new employment opportunities and give manufacturers the confidence to expand their operations.

According to him, increased government patronage of locally produced goods could also reduce demand for imported products and ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange market.

“When we buy what we produce, we support jobs, reduce pressure on foreign exchange, and give manufacturers the confidence to invest, expand, and employ more people,” he said.

Saraki urged the government to ensure consistent implementation of the directive, stressing that its benefits would depend on whether public institutions translated the policy into sustained procurement practices.

He also called for the underlying principle to be embraced across all arms of government, arguing that public expenditure should contribute to domestic economic growth rather than simply meet the purchasing needs of government agencies.