The President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday advocated the amendment of procurement laws at the state level as a quick fix to the protracted economic downturn afflicting the country.

He called on the state Houses of Assembly to take a cue from the Senate by embarking on the review of the state procurement laws to draw attention to the patronage of local companies.

Saraki spoke yesterday in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State during a multi-million naira empowerment scheme of the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, which he used to commemorate his 50th Birthday.

The programme also featured the launching of Rafiu Ibrahim Bilal Foundation.

With the amendment, the Senate President expressed optimism that it would create opportunities for many citizens as government would be left with no choice than to prioritize local content in the award of contracts in agencies and parastatals.

The Senate President also canvassed the need to address grey areas in the nation's constitution to ensure that high number of small and medium companies benefit from government business and award of contracts.

Saraki, who also called for empowerment of the people, said such initiative will go a long way to mitigate the effect of the hardship facing Nigerians as a result of the economic recession.

"It was high time we look beyond the objectives of making laws but focus on things that will enhance the social well being of the people through empowerment. We must make sure we find ways of addressing the tough economic situation that is facing our people that we are representing. That is why empowerment programme is very important at this particular time in supporting our people.

"As we come to the end of the year and prepare for 2017 budget, we must begin to address how to empower our people and create jobs.

"The initiative at the Senate with amendment to the procurement bill, I believe, will create opportunities for a lot of Nigerians where government will continue to look at Nigerian content first in the award of contracts in agencies and parastatals.

"I do hope also that the states will follow up on this initiative and give opportunities first to indigenous companies in the award of contracts where possible. This, I believe, will go a long way to get us out of this economic recession.

"I also hope again that the State Assemblies will take a leaf from us (Senate) and also make amendment to State procurement laws that will ensure that priority is given to local companies in certain areas.

"Again, I believe we must also review our laws to ensure that the higher percentage of small to medium size scale companies benefit from government businesses and government contracts. This will go a long way in the empowerment of our people", Saraki said.

While congratulating Senator Rafiu Ibrahim on his empowerment scheme, the Senate President challenged other office holders to emulate him with a view to reducing prevalent poverty among the citizenry.

In his speech, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim said the scheme was initiated to give back to the electorate and eradicate high level of poverty.

The legislator, who noted that his RIB foundation was also targeted at the grass root whether in or out of office, said it was in partnership with Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre to empower 8000 Kwara South indigenes.

"RIB Foundation is targeted at giving back to my community either while in office or out of office. We are also in partnership with the recently launched Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre for Skill-acquisition, Training Empowerment Programme (SEEC-STEP) of our Leader, Distinguished Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to provide jobs for 40 thousand Kwarans.

"In my own capacity, Kwara South-STEP, as part of our programme under RIB Foundation, targets eight thousand Kwara Southerners in four years to reduce poverty and unemployment in line with the current economic reality in the country now.

"This and many other programmes under RIB Foundation and our regular empowerment, bursary, scholarship awards, business financial supports, health bills, provision of school fees and books for our students etc are what I pray to continue to do for the rest of my life. I pray this should not be the end of it", Senator Ibrahim said.