The Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonaya Onu has warned civil servants, political office holders and political appointees to avoid violation of executive order 5 to avoid serving jail terms.
He said the Executive order 5 is a document for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering as well as technology.
Onu made the disclosure during the South West Dialogue on Presidential Executive Order No 5 held at the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) during the weekend.
The Minister, who was represented by Mrs Yoroh Odu-Thomas, Director, Legal Department of the ministry, said government was committed to transformation of the nation’s economy from resource-based to knowledge-based.
He said that the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to create enabling environment to mobilize local investment and attract more foreign direct investment to the country.
According to him, “On implementation of the order, Nigerian companies and firms have the opportunity more than ever before to participate in national development through award of contracts and also to serve as consultants.
“The order place premium on the use of indigenous professionals and firms in the design and execution of projects involving national security.
“Foreign experts will only be engaged on condition that such expertise is not available in Nigeria. Even when they are engaged, Nigeria professionals would be attached to understudy them.”
