By Franklin Alli

The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has called for the provision of $100 million (about N15 billion) Offshore Export Development Fund for soft lending to exporters of Made-in-Nigeria goods, in its 2011 pre-budget memo to the Federal Government.

NACCIMA President, Dr. Simon Okolo, who disclosed this, said that similar scheme was recently put in place in Liberia by China with a credit line of $50 million managed by ECOBANK – Liberia and accessible to the Liberian Business Community at concessionary rate for importation and trading in Chinese products.

He said that the Federal Government should borrow a leaf from China and provide similar offshore export development fund to boost Made -in Nigeria products, adding “this fund could be administered by Nigerian banks located in ECOWAS countries.”

He said that the patriotic campaign of buying Made-In-Nigeria goods initiated by the federal government should be intensified and sustained to include usage of local products where available in contracts agreement signed by the government .  He said that government should  makes serious efforts to stop foreign contractors currently importing all their production and raw material components, where such products are locally produced or available.

“Local manufacturers should be given priority and maximum consideration any time the country is hosting an international event or embarking on an important event /programme locally by mandating the organizes or the agency involved not to procure imported products whenever and wherever there are local substitutes.

“Furthermore, government must effectively co-ordinate industrial research institutions in the critical areas of raw materials and technology adaptation that suit the needs of local manufacturers.”

Meanwhile, government launched the “Buy Made_In_Nigeria” campaign on 13 October 2009.
With a campaign funding of N200 million, the government seeks to encourage Nigerians to consume locally produced goods.

It would be recalled that to set an example, the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, ( now President) directed that all future official functions shall be provided only through domestic produce.

Presidency further directed that  Nigerian aid to foreign countries should be in the form of products made in Nigeria.
It will be further recalled that at the official launch of campaign in Abuja, government imposed a ban on the use of foreign beverages at official functions and in government offices.

The Presidency  also directed that henceforth, Nigeria’s aid to other countries must utilize Nigerian products such as vehicles assembled in the country and blankets that are made in Nigeria.
Government contractors are to give priority to the use of Nigerian products while all uniforms and boots of the armed forces and para_military personnel must be sourced from Nigerian manufacturers whose products meet the standard of relevant regulatory agencies.

However, Industry analysts noted that the campaign can only succeed if government mustered the strong political will to patronise made_in_Nigerian products.

Analysts say strict enforcement in the presidency and elsewhere in the executive arm of government both at the council, state and federal levels as well in the legislature and judicial arms of government is crucial.