IT was symbolic and revealing when President Goodluck Jonathan presented bread derived from cassava-wheat composite flour before the Federal Executive Council. The bread, a product of 40 per cent cassava and 60 per cent wheat, was baked by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. The President said, "I think it is proper for us in the council to formally present this bread to Nigerians. I have been eating this bread for the past one week and I will continue to eat only this bread until I leave the State House. We must encourage what we have."Jonathan alluded to "the history of a country like China," highlighting the developmental strategies that transformed that country into an economic and technological powerhouse. According to him, "they closed their doors and restructured everything, and began to think again and by the time they opened their doors, the rest is known by all of us." The President immediately directed the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to liaise with other ministers and introduce policies that would encourage cassava farming and bakers to use cassava flour. For a President who, only a short while earlier, had approved import waivers worth N150 billion for rice and sundry items that could be easily produced locally if appropriate policies and incentives were in place, the affirmation of self-reliance as an economic philosophy was significant, even though the signals remain conflicting. There is a hint, at least, that within the government, the fundamentals of economic planning still count and that the necessary orientationpatronage of home-made goods to stimulate domestic production, employment and wealth creation, and minimise capital flightis not lacking. But the campaign should go beyond rhetoric. The Federal Government has from 1999 to date thrown the doors open to all manner of consumer goods from abroad. In November, 2010, the Ministry of Finance worsened matters by allowing the importation of "cassava, toothpicks, furniture, textile fabrics and articles thereof, lace and embroidered fabrics and made-up garments," among some 41 items. Those items, including bottled water, leather shoes, mutton and plastics, are still being imported into Nigeria. The usual explanation by the then Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga, was that "the government is going to generate revenue from the levies to be paid on the products. And I can assure you that the money to be generated would be used for providing infrastructure for the survival of our industries." Added to this is the level of illegal import. The World Bank says, on the average, goods worth $5 billion are smuggled into the country from the Republic of Benin alone each year. Most of the regulatory agencies for goods and services are weak and corrupt. Because laws governing the production, processing, distribution, retail, packaging and labelling of food items are not effectively enforced, local goods remain sub-standard and unattractive. Consumers depend on the interaction and the cooperation between government agencies to set and enforce standardised safety guidelines that ensure the quality and safety of foodstuffs. Consumers need to know that food and other products are not only safe, they also give value for money as buyers tend to ignore where products are made and simply opt for the most affordable price. Jonathan should move to reassure Nigerians that he truly understands the secret of Chinas economic success and is prepared to adopt it in managing the economy. To begin with, China, India, Brazil and many other successful countries did not shut their doors to only foreign wheat-flour bread or any one single item of trade. In each of those countries, it was a matter of national policy for the ruling classes to limit their consumption and tastes to what their local economies could produce and thus successfully implanted a tradition of self-reliance among the populace. In addition, local regulatory agencies are strengthened to ensure that consumers are not short-changed. High patronage of home-made goods will boost the economy and create jobs. For effective adjustment of all government ministries, departments and agencies to the new thinking, a comprehensive policy framework is required. Governments ministries, departments and agencies should stop placing orders for imported goods that can be sourced locally. Beginning with The Presidency and National Assembly as well as the states Government Houses and state Assemblies and local councils, it should be a matter of policy for office-holders and lawmakers to patronise only home-made goods. Public officials that flout the order must be penalised.It is common knowledge that government (federal, state and local) constitutes the single largest consumer of imported furniture, computer hardware and several other items. This must change forthwith if Nigeria is to place itself on the path to self-reliance and sound economic performance. A new urgency has arisen for the creation of global safety standards and stricter enforcement of existing safety laws for home-made food and other products to meet global standards and safety requirements. Openness and transparency should be the cardinal principles of the standardisation system.
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