A bill seeking to stop all government agencies from buying foreign-made cars has passed second reading on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, which was presented by Senator Patrick Nwabueze on Thursday, was referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to report back in four weeks.
In his lead debate, Senator Nwabueze said that when passed will bar all Ministries, Departments and Agencies from patronizing foreign-made vehicles and mandate them to buy only locally manufactured ones.
He added that this move will create more job opportunities for the teeming youths and increase the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Senator Nwabueze added that the country will save costs if the President, National Assembly Members, Governors, Ministers, and top government functionaries patronize locally made automobiles.
After the debate, Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, noted that if passed, the bill will, among other things, stabilise the economy and preserve the country's foreign exchange.
