Local Content: Expert Urges Greater Input Of Professionals

As part of measures to promote Local Content Development in Nigeria, a United States based industrialist and expert in the construction industry, Lucky Naadueba, has called for greater synergy between Nigerian professionals in the diaspora and the Nigerian government in the formulation and implementation of content development policies.
The expert who spoke with The Tide in an interview at Kpor, ,headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area at the weekend, alleged that IOCS were abusing local content delivery in Nigeria as they bring in foreigners to do jobs meant for Nigerians in the name of expertise and other forms of compromise and institutional sabotage.
He pointed out that in every project, a certain percentage should be reserved for local communities to promote enterprise among the people.
The construction expert said Nigeria was gifted with an array of professionals in various sectors that are driving the world economies.
He, however, regretted that such Nigerian experts were not given the opportunity to make reasonable inputs in policy formulation and implementation in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Ogoni born US bassed technologist called for effective legislation that will engender the domestication of acquired technologies and specialized skills by Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora to promote economic development in their home country.
He said, “Nigerians are at the forefront of major technological breakthrough in the world, but they are not encouraged to bring to bear their acquired knowledge and experience in Nigeria. Everything in Nigeria is based on politics and this has stifled the efforts of Nigerians in the Diaspora to make meaningful contributions in the development of the country.”

Taneh Beemene