Refers five MDAs to EFCC for probe
CONTRACT inflation, a major conduit pipe through which government funds are siphoned, was again in focus yesterday as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) disclosed that for the 2010 Budget implementation alone, it saved for the Federal Government the sum of N216 billion resulting from over-invoicing by contractors for jobs done.
The BPP's Director-General, Emeka Ezeh Eze, who disclosed this also said that five ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) found to have gravely contravened the Procurement Act have been referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution. He however declined to name the affected agencies.
He spoke at the fourth national procurement forum organized in Abuja by the BPP, popularly known as " the Due Process Office" as part of activities to mark its 10th anniversary. The forum is reviewing the journey so far with a view to up –scaling and institutionalising sound and internationally accepted procurement standards in the Nigerian public service.
He listed political interference and corruption; institutional resistance and skills and competence gaps; late budget approval versus slow start of procurement processes and poor project execution and supervision as some of the challenges faced by the BPP. The talk shop continues today.
On the occasion, President Goodluck Jonathan also raised the ante against corruption in Nigeria's public life as he warned officials, particularly newly appointed ministers and other political appointees, to avail themselves of the provision of the Procurement Act as he warned that any of them caught flouting the law would be severely dealt with.
He declared that it has been observed that public officials continue to abuse their offices in contravention of the Procurement Act through selfish acts like contract splitting; manipulation of prequalification processes and disregard for bidding regulations and payment guidelines, among others.
Jonathan who was represented at the forum by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, said: " I am confident that we can still do better by minimizing delays/. While this forum is another opportunity to think of ways of reducing delays in the procurement cycle, the integrity of the process must not be compromised.
"As we work towards the transformation of this country, I strongly advise that public officers whether elected or appointed to study the Public Procurement Act and understand and apply its provisions in the conduct of government business. There will be no sacred cows for any infraction especially by those responsible for budget implementation at the federal level. And of course, ignorance of the law will never be accepted as an excuse.
"The BPP should expand its sensitization to all Ministers; members of the National Assembly; Chief Executives of government agencies and even to Nigerian Missions abroad. The time for this service wide sensitization is now.
"Finally, I am happy to note that with the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, the media and the general public now have a tool to work for good governance. It is no longer possible to hide behind officialdom as everything is now in the open. I believe that the fight against corruption has now entered a critical stage and all public servants must take note that the old era has passed away. This is the era of transformation; the era of transparency and accountability not just in words but by action because the tools for public participation are now fully in place,'' President Jonathan further warned.
He thanked the BPP for so far upholding the Procurement law and for the reforms introduced in procurement management in Nigeria's public service.
In a goodwill speech, former President Olusegun Obasanjo in whose tenure the Due Process Office was established, expressed concern about the legion of breaches of the Procurement Law in the country without the concomitant penalty for defaulters.
He warned that if action is not taken against those who contravene the law, it could paint a laughable scenario.
"Let me express concern about breaches of the BPP Act. Breaches without sanctions are a sure way to kill the reforms and make the law useless because a law is as good as its observance by all," former President Obasanjo pointed out.
He, however, praised the BPP management for the successes so far recorded and charged it not to rest on its oars so as to sanitize the procurement process and instill transparency in public service.
The Guardian