FG to fish out gaps in Public Procurement Act

George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has appointed a Committee to review the Public Procurement Act 2007 and bring it into compliance with the nation’s present economic realities.

The SGF stated, “The Act provides the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, value for money, and efficiency in the procurement of works, goods, and services within the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs)”

This was contained in a statement released by Segun Imohiosen, the director of information in his office.

Akume in his inaugural speech recalled that the Public Procurement Act 2007 was signed into law on 4th June, 2007 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“The Public Procurement Act 2023 established the National Council on Public Procurement and the Bureau of Public Procurement as the regulatory authorities responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement, harmonising the existing government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria; and for related matters,’’ he added.

“Having implemented the Public Procurement Act for over 15 years, this Administration has seen the need to review and strengthen the provisions of the Act to make it more responsive to the needs of the people. The objective of this review is to ensure realistic procurement outcomes in the face of current economic realities and to enhance budget implementation and ease of doing business.”

The members of the committee are the “attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice – chairman; minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy Member; minister of budget and economic planning – member; director-general, Bureau of Public Procurement- member; representative of the World Bank – member; Messrs KPMG Nigeria – technical consultants; permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office – member/secretary.

“Undertake a holistic review of the Public Procurement Act 2007 by identifying key impediments militating against compliance with the Act; make recommendations that will strengthen the provisions of the Act to ensure transparency, accountability, value for money, efficiency, and timely delivery in the procurement of works, goods, and services by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies; develop a draught amendment Bill for consideration by the Federal Executive Council; Any other assignment as may be directed by the President,” reads the committee’s mandate, according to Imohiosen.

The Public Procurement Act revision is a massive work that the SGF asked committee members to complete without giving up. If done correctly, this act will streamline public procurement procedures and enable the delivery of public goods and services.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the recently established committee, Mamman Ahmadu, the director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement, revealed that his organisation has started the internal review process and would work effectively to achieve the committee’s goals.

The committee is given a month to finish its task.