Reps warn MDAs against violating Public Procurement Act
The House of Representatives has warned Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government against violating the Public Procurement Act.
The Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Public Procurement, Rep. Unyime Idem, gave the warning in Abuja on Monday at a public hearing on a Bill to amend the 2007 Public Procurement Act.
The bill titled “A bill for an Act to amend the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Act 2007′ is to be in tandem with what is obtained in the procurement professional practice across the globe and for related matters.
“I want to sound a note of warning to all government entities that are in the habit of dishonouring parliamentary invitations to kindly desist from such deviant behaviour.
“Failure to do so, the Committee will not hesitate to invoke its legislative powers in accordance with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
He also said that it would invoke Order 20 Rule 92 of the Standing Orders of the House of Reps and Section 58 (5) of the Public Procurement Act.
This, according to him includes possible legal action, to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the nation’s democratic institutions.
He said that the CIPSMN bill is considered a priority because of the important role it has played in shaping professionals in the field of purchasing and supply chain management in Nigeria.
He added that this includes the development of high-standard professional skills, ability, and integrity among all those engaged in procurement practice.
Others, he said, include value for money and efficiency in the procurement of works, goods, and services within MDAs as stipulated in the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
He reiterated the commitment of the House Committee to uphold the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, and accountability.
He called for strict adherence and due process compliance to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the efficient and ethical utilisation of public resources.
Regulation
Earlier Dr Abdul Maman, Secretary, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply decried the attempt by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to subvert due process.
According to him, the BPP cannot be an operator and regulator at the same time; we are willing to work with them to address this issue.
Similarly, the Director of Civil Infrastructure at BPP, Malam Bello Nasir, faulted some of the claims by the institute, adding that certain clauses should not be considered for amendment
He however agreed to meet with the institute and promised to communicate the decision of their meeting to the committee
The committee gave them a window of two weeks to meet to close the differences emanating from their differences.
NAN
