![Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN. [PHOTO CREDIT: Daily Post Nigeria]](https://crediblenewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/images-28.jpeg)
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has expressed strong support for the Federal Government’s decision to ban the importation of foreign goods that can be produced locally, describing it as a major step toward promoting economic self-reliance and revitalizing Nigerian industries.
PETROAN President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry commended the Tinubu administration’s bold economic move, while calling for strategic implementation to ensure the policy achieves its intended benefits without disrupting access to essential goods, especially petroleum products.
Dr. Gillis-Harry acknowledged that the policy aligns with Nigeria’s long-term economic goals of increasing local production, creating jobs, and reducing dependence on imports.
However, he urged policymakers to be mindful of the country’s current limitations—particularly in critical sectors like petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods.
“We support the policy in principle,” he said. “But its success depends on how carefully and gradually it is rolled out. Some products—especially those requiring advanced technology or specialized expertise—are still not produced locally at sufficient scale or quality.”
He specifically pointed out the risk of supply shortages and price increases in the petroleum sector, noting that Nigeria’s local refining capacity remains inadequate to meet the national demand of over 46 million litres of petrol daily.
“Our top priority is ensuring energy security. If petroleum products become scarce or unaffordable due to the import ban, it could destabilize the economy and increase hardship for Nigerians,” he warned.
Gillis-Harry called for increased investment in domestic refining infrastructure, urging the government to provide technical, financial, and policy support to help local producers scale up operations and meet demand.
The new policy—called the “Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy”—was announced on Monday by President Bola Tinubu and formally presented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
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It prohibits Ministries, Departments, and Agencies from procuring foreign goods or services that are locally available, unless they obtain a waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“This policy places Nigeria at the centre of its own economy,” Minister Idris said. “It aims to empower local industries, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure that government money works for the Nigerian people.”
He cited examples such as Nigeria’s continued importation of sugar despite the presence of a functioning Sugar Council and several capable domestic producers as evidence of the inefficiency the policy seeks to eliminate.
“Contractors can no longer act as middlemen importing foreign goods while Nigerian factories remain idle,” the minister said.
The minister compared the policy to the U.S. government’s “America First” doctrine, which prioritizes domestic production in public procurement and federal contracts.
“Just like the U.S. protects and promotes American industries, Nigeria is now doing the same,” he said. “The Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy is designed to build confidence, reduce the trade deficit, and protect Nigeria’s economic future.”
As part of its enforcement mechanism, the federal government has directed all MDAs to review and resubmit their procurement plans to comply with the new policy. Any breaches will attract disciplinary measures, including cancellation of future procurement processes.
Dr. Gillis-Harry concluded by urging policymakers to strike a balance between protecting local industries and ensuring access to high-quality, affordable goods. He stressed that import bans, if poorly managed, could fuel inflation and exacerbate supply chain disruptions.
NAN
