Posted on: 05:53 Thu, 14 Apr 2016



The common-sense advocate and
representative of Bayelsa East
Senatorial District in the Upper
Chamber, Ben Murray-Bruce has
said that it was “wonderful”
Nigeria is broke.

He made this assertion at the
Senate plenary while contributing
to a debate on a Bill for an “Act to
Amend the Public Procurement Act
to provide for and to adopt a local
content policy and timely
completion of procurement
processes”.

According to Ben, the penniless
situation the country is currently
experiencing would make Nigerians
creative and productive.

“Nigeria is broke and it is
wonderful. We would start to think,
and buy Nigerian products. We are
a brilliant people. If the leadership
of Nigeria start thinking Nigeria,
Nigeria will be a great country,” he
stated.

Bruce said some Nigerians were of
the view that locally-manufactured
products were inferior, hence their
preference for foreign ones. But he
argued that when Nigerians resolve
to pay the right price for local
products, their quality would
improve in the long run.

Earlier, Sam Egwu, a senator from
Ebonyi north and a sponsor of the
bill, urged the senate to pass the
bill arguing that it would boost the
local economy.

Also, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who
represents Abia south at the Upper
legislative chamber, explained that
when passed, the bill would make it
mandatory for the government to
buy local products.

After the Lawmakers unanimously
supported the Bill, Senate
President, Bukola Saraki,
thereafter, referred it to the
committee on public procurement
for more legislative treatment.