BPP, NADDC Sign Nigeria First Policy
The Bureau of Public Procurement and the National Automotive Design and Development Council have signed off on full implementation of the Nigeria First Policy in the automotive sector.
ureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) signed off on the full implementation of the Nigeria First Policy in the automotive sector by all procuring entities.
The signing of the policy now makes it an offence for government agencies to procure vehicles from any source other than local manufacturers, including vehicle assembly plants operating in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, noted that the initiative would further empower Nigeria and Nigerians.
The DG said: "Today marks an important step in strengthening the integrity, accountability and developmental impact of public procurement in Nigeria. With the implementation of this policy on the Nigeria First Policy in the Automotive Sector, public procurement is being more deliberately aligned with national economic priorities and with the Federal Government's commitment to support local production through public expenditure.
"For us at BPP, this is about ensuring value for money, transparency, lawful process and measurable national benefit. Public funds used for vehicle procurement must not only procure assets for government use, but must also support industrial growth, reduce procurement abuse and improve accountability across the system."
With this, the next step will be the issuance of a Revised Circular by the appropriate government authority.
On his part, the Director General/CEO of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, who commended the DG, BPP, for being proactive and for fast-tracking the implementation process, said: "Today, under the guidance of the Nigeria First Policy, we are fundamentally shifting that paradigm and the implementation of this policy is not merely about procurement; it is an economic imperative."
