Federal Government Set To Introduce e-Procurement In Contract Documentation
The Federal Government has said that it will begin the process of electronic documentation and packaging of contract procedures to make public procurement more transparent in line with international standards and best practices.
Addressing participants at a Two Day Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Friday, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mallam Mamman Ahmadu, disclosed that the e-procurement system is being developed by the Bureau in partnership with the World Bank and 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies selected as Pilot Procuring Entities before the full roll-out of the e-system.
He said federal Permanent Secretaries are the accounting officers in the ministries stating that section 20 sub-section 1 of the procurement Act, 2007 places the PS at the heart of the procurement process, hence, he said, it is important to guide them appropriately according to procurement Act, 2007
He said we are here to take stock on how our respective ministries have fared over the years, particularly in terms of submission of procurement plans and records (NOCOPO). This he said will be discussed at the retreat.
R-L: Director-General, BPP, Mamman Ahmadu, FNIQS, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi Esan and the Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Moses Ekpo at the Public Procurement Retreat for the Federal Permanent Secretaries in Uyo Akwa Ibom State
Mamman Ahmadu said, discussions are going to be also on the introduction of e-procurement. The e-procurement he said, is currently being developed by the Bureau in collaboration with the World Bank and (10) MDAs have been selected as pilot procuring entities before the full rollout of the system service-wide.
He said, the benefits to be derived from the use of e-procurement are tremendous as drivers of the procurement reforms in their respective ministries, He said it is important that this information is brought to their attention.
The theme of this retreat is “strengthening public procurement for optimal effectiveness” He said that tremendous improvements have been recorded in public procurement over the years and he encouraged the PS to do more for optimal achievement.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Mrs Folasade Yemi Esan while presenting her remarks said “government at all levels have sacrosanct responsibility of ensuring the welfare of its people” thus, she said, the laws regulating public procurement in the country exist to ensure that, public funds and resources are responsibly utilized to obtain value for money
She urged the Permanent Secretaries to use scrutiny and discretion before the award of a contract which must be within their approval thresholds in conformity with other extant financial regulations as it is important to know that, liabilities arising from failure to ensure accountability and transparency may not go away even after leaving the office in addition, she said, accounting officers could be asked to account for his or her actions and inactions even after leaving office.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of, the Senate Committee on public procurement, ably represented by Mr Uche U. Uche implored the PS to timely oblige the committee of information on procurement activities as may be requested for legislative scrutiny as one of the core mandates which includes oversight of public procurement activities in all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies as it enshrined in rule no 96(52c) of the Senate standing orders 2022 as amended and is in tedium with section 62 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended
He implores the Bureau to critically re-examine all sections and clauses and to come up with areas that need urgent attention of the National assembly for amendment.
Adding that “no matter how hydra-headed the challenges may seem concerted efforts should be made to address them because the public procurement Act 2007 is in line with international best practices
The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State MMrUdom Emmanuel ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo said, the Public Procurement process has been internalized, so, it has become standard practice.
He commended the Bureau of Public Procurement for their efforts and hoped that the PS will do justice to the discussions for the management of the procurement process and strengthen the gains made so far.
He welcomed the participants to the State and declared the retreat open.