The President and Chairman of the Council of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Emmanuel Wike, on Saturday, said members and other Nigerian professionals have started reaping from the Executive Order 5 signed by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President signed the Executive Order into law on February 5, 2018 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.

Addressing journalists during the 8th Council Meeting of the Institution in Enugu, Wike stated the Executive order 5 demonstrates the Federal Government’s efforts to promote the application of science, technology and Innovation within Nigeria.

He said the order also underscores the measure of respect and value the President places on Nigerian professionals, adding that Nigerian professionals were already reaping from the benefits as it has also stopped the era of foreigners coming into Nigeria to execute projects with their workers.

He said, “Before the order, we discovered that most of the projects were being done by foreigners but we have professionals who can do the job. We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the order. It will create job opportunities for our teeming population.

“It would promote the application of local content in science, technology and innovation within Nigeria. It would encourage indigenous experts in Diaspora to return home for public procurement purposes. This may result in improved standards and healthy competition in all sectors.”

He also thanked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State over the good working relationship between the agencies of the state government and members of the institution in the area of asset valuation, rating valuation and property and facility management.