A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Development of Kogi State Local Content plan in the supply of Good and Services in the state has passed second reading on the floor of the Kogi state House of Assembly.
The bill which is a private member bill being sponsored by the member representing Omala state constituency, Umar Yahaya is geared towards providing empowerment opportunities to every indigene of the state in various economic facet.
Leading the debate, Hon. Umar said the bill would provide opportunities to Kogi state indigenous companies to be given first consideration of contracts and project implementation in the state based on their fulfilment of terms and conditions specified by the bill.
He said it would also provide for locally produced materials and goods to be gotten in the state market with evidence of such purchases produced for verification by the board established under the law.
According to the lawmaker, the law will give opportunities to Kogi state indigenes to get employed in any contract or project execution operating within the jurisdiction of Kogi state.
He further said that the rationale behind the law was to introduce a local content concept obtainable in the oil and gas sector of the state as well as eliminate capital flight.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Ibaji state constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola said the bill was timely as it would create job opportunities for the people of the state.
Similarly, the members representing Dekina/Biraidu State Constituency, Hon. Ochidi Usman Shehu and his counterpart from Okehi, Hon. Otokiti Alhassan Zakariya in their separate contributions said the bill would boost economic activities and revenue base of the state.
Also the member representing Ogori Magongo state constituency, Hon. Bode Ogunmola said the Bill was a good one as it would give opportunities to indigenous professionals to serve their state.
In his ruling the Speaker, Aliyu Umar Yusuf who urged the house to give the bill the necessary ingredients to make a good one that would stand the test of time committed the bill to the house joint committees on works , transport and housing and Judiciary justice and legal matters for further Legislative action.