The National Assembly says it will continue to provide legal frameworks that will guarantee the protection and survival of indigenous firms in Nigeria.
Boma Goodhead, chairman of the House Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring disclosed this during an overnight visit to Zobis Ltd, an indigenous cable manufacturing company based in Anambra.
Goodhead said the committee was satisfied with the strides recorded by Zobis Cables and reiterated that Nigeria had what it takes to produce world-class industrial materials locally.
“What we have witnessed
at Zobis Cable is a strong demonstration of Nigerian ingenuity, technical excellence, and commitment to national industrial growth. As a committee of the National Assembly, we are particularly impressed with the company’s adherence to the principles of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
“We are also impressed with its deployment of modern production technologies, and its ambitious drive towards value addition and import substitution. The scale of investment here shows that indigenous manufacturers are ready to compete globally if given the right policy support, visibility, and access to the oil and gas value chain.
“Importantly, this aligns with the President’s renewed national drive for industrial transformation through the Presidential Directives on “Nigeria’s First Goods and Services,” she said.
Ms Goodhead said President Bola Tinubu had directed that under his administration, all ministries, departments, and agencies especially those in the oil and gas, power, and infrastructure sectors must prioritise patronising locally manufactured goods and services.
She said this was a strategic pathway to sustainable economic growth, job creation, and technological self-reliance.
Ms Goodhead said the House Committee was in full support of the President’s vision and would continue to provide the legislative backing and oversight needed to ensure full implementation across Nigeria’s industrial sector.
She said the visit to wholly indigenous firms such as Zobis Cables was part of a broader legislative mandate to promote, monitor, and strengthen local content participation.
“The era of dependence on imported cables and electrical materials must give way to a new phase of Nigerian industrial self-reliance and home-grown technological advancement.
“The National Assembly, under the leadership of Mr Speaker, will continue to provide the necessary legislative and policy backing to enhance local production and attract further investment,” she said.
John Ezeobi, CEO of Zobis Group, said local manufacturers had been trying to bring down the price of cable.
Mr Ezeobi urged government to assist to encourage local manufacturers so that they can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
(NAN)