By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Procurement Act which was amended by the Senate in June will in no little way boost the Nigerian economy when passed into law, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has assured.
According to a statement he personally signed, he gave the assurance in Abuja on Thursday, when a delegation of the Market Traders Union visited him.
“I also enlightened them on how the Procurement Act we amended in June, will benefit them when passed into law which will mandate Government agencies to give first option to goods made in Nigeria,” he said.
Saraki explained that meeting with them was part of the Senate’s efforts to end the recession.
He assured them of Senate’s support and how some of the 20point resolution will assist their plight when it is fully acted upon by the President.
“I also noted the benefits of the Agricultural Credit Scheme Fund and how members of their union and small scale farmers can be a part of it.
“Since market sales depends on salary, I assured them that we’ll continue to ensure that salaries are paid on time. The 8th Senate is Pro-business and we’ll help improve and restore confidence in order to assist in increasing capacity of traders,” he explained.
Earlier in their address, they expressed worries on the instability of price of food items across the country and demanded for a legislative instrument such as an act of the National Assembly to direct the CBN and other financial institutions to establish easily accessible mid-term loans and credit facilities for the benefits of their members and also integrate members of the Union into scheme of marketing and exports of made-in Nigeria goods to other countries.
