The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement says it will refer the Acting Director-General of the Product Development Institute (PRODA), Fabian Okonkwo, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other graft agencies for prosecution.
The Chairman House Committee on Public Procurement, Nasir Ali-Ahmed disclosed this at the conclusion of an investigative hearing on procurement deception in the Project Development Institute, Enugu.
Ali-Ahmed who expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the procurement process of the agency said the House will take the necessary steps in line with the procurement act.
“We will use you as an example. I don’t think any other DG has been punished before. I can assure you that every other penalty that is in the procurement act, you will face it.
“You can’t sit in your office and decide on who gets what. I am happy that the board of PRODA is here and is listening to the rot that’s happening at the Institute.
“So, we will refer this case to the EFCC, ICPC and the NFIU. There was a transparent process, you came in and said to hell with BPP and decided to do what you want. I can assure you that whatever we do as a parliament, Mr. President and Nigerians are behind us,“ he stated.
The Committee had accused the acting DG PRODA Dr. Fabian Okonkwo of cancellation of a duly approved contract awarded with a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP without recourse to the laws on procurement.
The Committee in the last few days was investigating irregularities in the agency including alleged staff victimization and management crisis in the agency.
In his presentation before the committee, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement BPP represented by Engr. Babatunde Kuye submitted that the acting DG violated the public procurement act, 2007 by cancelling contract awards without recourse to due process.
“PRODA has no right under the law to cancel any ongoing procurement process. Section 54 is very clear on this. PRODA can make case for cancellation but don’t have the power to cancel any contract,“ Mr Kuye added.
In a remark the Chairman PRODA Board, Comrade Daniel Onje said they acted in the national interest in stopping the contracts but accused the acting DG of misleading the board by claiming that he had gotten approval from BPP to cancel the contracts.
PIAK
