By Abdullateef Bambgose
Senate yesterday harped on the need to make the procurement process(es) more transparent and in strict compliance with laid down procedures.
The Senate Committee on Public Procurement noted that public procurement in Nigeria should be a model of transparency and efficiency towards ensuring value for money.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba ( Ondo North )stated these in his speech at the two-day retreat organised for members of the committee in Abuja by LeadBold Resource Consulting.
According to him,” Public procurement is not merely a technical or administrative activity; it is the mechanism through which government policies are transformed into tangible services, infrastructure and development outcomes.
“It accounts for a significant proportion of national expenditure and, therefore, demands the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability”.
He said though in Nigeria, the Public Procurement Act 2007 vis – a – vis , the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and the Senate Committee on Public Procurement,
marked a decisive step toward institutionalising these principles, but more needs to be done in terms of the required reforms.
” Public procurement is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of evolution, adaptation and learning.
” The Senate Committee on Public Procurement remains committed to legislative oversight, policy advocacy and institutional reforms that strengthen integrity and compliance in the procurement system.
“Let us, therefore, reaffirm our collective resolve to make public procurement in Nigeria a model of transparency and efficiency—not only in Africa, but across the global stage.
” By aligning our practices with international standards and embracing innovation, we can ensure that every naira spent translates into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare and a more prosperous nation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda”, he added .
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Leadbold Resource Consulting Ltd, Kelechi Kingsley said the aim of the retreat is to enhance the strategic leadership capacity of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to effectively drive oversight, transparency, accountability and compliance in the public procurement ecosystem.
“The retreat seeks to expose participants to global regulations, international best practices and practical frameworks that will strengthen institutional integrity, ensure value for money in public expenditure and advance national development objectives through sound procurement governance,” she explained.
