KANO: Nigeria expended more than N6.7 trillion in 2015 on the importation of goods that the country can produce locally, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, has said.
The minister made the statement on Friday in Kano during the opening of the North-West zonal sensitisation workshop on the campaign for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products. “In 2015 alone, over N6.7 trillion was spent on the importation of goods and services which the nation can produce locally. “N1.9 trillion was spent on imported foods and drinks; N1.5 trillion on spare parts; N123 billion on shoes and N399 billion on household items,” she said. Abubakar said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to reduce the cost of doing business in the country. She said that the president had insisted that Nigerians must grow what they eat and consume what we produce. She added that the government was also committed to revive ailing industries and create jobs for the youths. The minister said that the government and its agencies now give priority to locally-made goods, adding, “Made-in-Nigeria campaign is for real.’’
According to her, the campaign is aimed at optimising local content and empower local businesses and diversify the economy. Abubakar recalled that in May this year, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo signed Executive Order III to promote made-in-Nigeria products. She said that the success of the campaign would depend on the collective resolve of Nigerians to do the right thing and imbibe the virtues of patriotism. Earlier in his remarks, Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, said his government was committed to providing an enabling environment for business to thrive in the state. He urged the business community in the state to key into Federal Government reforms in the economic sector.
