Na big news wey dey land from World Bank, my people! E don show say Nigerian companies don really land plenty contracts for development work all over the world. Dem don even rank fifth for global level, na serious achievement!
This announcement gree come out for World Bank Group Business Opportunities Seminar wey happen for Lagos. According to Ms Gallina Vincelette, wey na Vice President for World Bank, over the past five years, Nigerian suppliers don bag more than 6,800 contracts from World Bank, wey total pass $2.5 billion. Na only this matter, we don see many roads, bridges, schools and hospitals dey spring up across Naija!
Talking about this, the Budget Minister, Atiku Bagudu, no fit hide him joy. Him talk say Naija dey enjoy better access to global procurement because of recent economic reforms and strong support from international bodies. Him also say our president fit make bold decisions for economy matter, wey dey make other countries dey look us as example.
Bagudu also yarn say World Bank and other bodies go do agreement wey go boost project operations. This one go create opportunities for private sector to move plenty money into the economy. The World Bank don even highlight say dem get $250 billion pipeline for procurement worldwide! E sure say plenty work dey to chop, no be small o!
Now, dem fit create more jobs for local people as World Bank dey put local labor requirement for contracts. Ms Vincelette also talk say dem dey require 30% local labor for civil projects, meaning local workers go dey get better chance to work. Na correct move to make sure say we dey invest in our people!
Meanwhile, the Chief Procurement Officer, Ms Hiba Tahboub, talk say procurement don change as dem no dey only look for who go deliver cheap work again but also dey focus on quality and sustainability. Na new direction wey dey show say dem dey serious about the future.
Energy matter no dey left behind. IFC’s Director for Central Africa and Nigeria, Ms Dahlia Khalifa, talk say Naija dey critical for dem Mission 300 initiative, wey plan to give 300 million people access to electricity by 2030. Na serious commitment wey we dey expect to see results!
Lagos State dey jostle for prime position as major investment center. Folasade Ambrose, wey dey represent Lagos Governor, talk say Lagos get big market opportunities for transport, power, health, and digital economy. Na dem training effort wey don help women entrepreneurs prepare for export readiness na the way forward!
But e no be all rosy, sha. Dr Chinyere Almona from Lagos Chamber of Commerce talk say high cost of finance and lack of visibility dey affect SMEs from participating for procurement. But na good thing say World Bank don dey work on new systems to make the process easier.
Dr Adebowale Adedokun sef talk say Naija don dey change the narrative on public procurement from just transactional to something wey e go benefit the economy long term. Na good sign wey show say government dey ready to partner with private sector for better governance!
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