According to Daily Post:President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected the proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the purchase of imported vehicles for the 2016 census.
The NPC, in a memo brought to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, had sought approval for the purchase of 40 Utility vehicles as part of its preparation for the forthcoming census.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said although the Federal Executive Council approved the purchase of the vehicles, the president kicked against their importation and directed that they be purchased from indigenous manufacturers.
According to the minister, the president’s directive is aimed not only at boosting local production, but also at encouraging indigenous manufacturers.
This, the minister added, would also help in creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Maku said: “The National Population Commission brought a memo for the purchase of utility vehicles. This was approved, but the president directed that all the vehicles should be purchased locally from indigenous manufacturers”.
The minister hinted that the contract would be given to the Nnewi-based Innoson Motors Vehicle Manufacturing Company, which was supported by the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The company, Maku said, was discovered to be doing well during the recent Good Governance Tour.
The NPC, in a memo brought to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, had sought approval for the purchase of 40 Utility vehicles as part of its preparation for the forthcoming census.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said although the Federal Executive Council approved the purchase of the vehicles, the president kicked against their importation and directed that they be purchased from indigenous manufacturers.
According to the minister, the president’s directive is aimed not only at boosting local production, but also at encouraging indigenous manufacturers.
This, the minister added, would also help in creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Maku said: “The National Population Commission brought a memo for the purchase of utility vehicles. This was approved, but the president directed that all the vehicles should be purchased locally from indigenous manufacturers”.
The minister hinted that the contract would be given to the Nnewi-based Innoson Motors Vehicle Manufacturing Company, which was supported by the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The company, Maku said, was discovered to be doing well during the recent Good Governance Tour.