By FEMI OGUNSHOLA

The House of Representatives has warned Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government against violation of the Public Procurement Act.

Rep. Unyime Idem, Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Public Procurement gave the warning in Abuja on Monday at a public hearing on a Bill to amend the 2007 public procurement Act.

The title of the bill is, “A bill for an Act to amend the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Act 2007.

The bill is to be in tandem with what 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 uninterrupted functioning of the nation’s democratic institutions.

He said that the CIPSMN bill is considered a priority because of the important role it had 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 skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in procurement practice.

Others, he said, includes 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, accountability.

He called for strict adherence and due process compliance to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the efficient and ethical utilisation of public resources.

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, Malam Bello Nasir, the Director of Civil Infrastructure, BPP 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.

“We want you to work together. You must give us a date to meet, we want it to be a win, win situation,” Idem said. (NAN)

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