To encourage the  consumption of locally manufactured products, the Federal Government has forwarded the Local Patronage Bill to the National Assembly.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who made this known during a facility tour of the Oil and Gas Free zone, Onne, Rivers State, said it was part of efforts by government to create wider market for local produce.

He said the move would save the nation what it loses to importation of finished products. Aganga, who was elated with the $5.4 billion  from  the Oil and Gas Free zone and the over 130,000 jobs created,  expressed the hope that the Local Patronage Bill, when passed into law, would further create jobs for the country, since local produce would enjoy greater consumption.

“The Federal Government wants to come up with a Local Patronage Bill that will make sure that we patronise our products in the country. We are already working on the bill, because there is no point producing, when we do not patronise them.

“So, part of the strategy will include import substitution, making sure that we produce what we can produce locally for the oil industry, rather than allowing them to be imported into the country.

“We know that what it means is that we to ensure they meet international standards. That is not the problem, we can do that. You need technology, training and people, but we can get there.

Courtesy: Vanguard