The Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Jide Ipinsagba has said henceforth Nigerians will begin to enjoy a procurement system comparable to any country in the world and in accordance with global best practices.
Speaking to journalists in his Abuja office ,the Senator representing Ondo North senatorial district assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate is working with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to ensure zero tolerance for procurement fraud in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said his committee is putting in place measures to ensure that all MDAs are aligned to the new administration’s paradigm shift where ordinary Nigerians can bid and win contracts unlike what was obtainable, and also move Bureau for Public Procurement,BPP from analog to digital.
According to Senator Ipinsagba his goal is to provide equal opportunities for Nigerians to participate in competitive bidding, which will lead to cost savings. The lawmaker said his committee also discourages single-source procurement, which often does not provide good value for money.
In his words: “Many wrongs will be corrected. We want to make sure that only qualified persons get the contract job they tendered for.
He explained that the idea of MDAs calling for bids and lining people up for a rigorous Pre-qualification exercise only for the contract to go to persons or companies who did not participate in the process was no longer acceptable.
Ipinsagba said, “Due process must be followed. We want the country to experience a new era of procurement system that is acceptable to international practice.”
“I can assure you that this Senate is sincere about the new deal we are bringing forward in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President and the uncommon Senate President.”
“We are also transitioning from
traditional analog procurement methods to digital means, working closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“The goal is to bring Nigeria’s procurement system on par with global standards, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
“The committee which acts as an advisory body to the BPP, will promote a more inclusive procurement process where everyone has an equal opportunity to bid.
“The committee, under my chairmanship will discourage portfolio contractors who lack the necessary resources and expertise to handle government contracts”
Speaking about his preparedness to interface with MDAs by contractors, he said “the committee will evaluate both the commercial and technical tenders submitted by contractors to MDAs before awarding any government contracts.
“We will ensure that contractors have the capacity, resources, and manpower to fulfill the obligations.
“The committee follows the Public
Procurement Act of 2007 as its guiding principle in carrying out its duties. Our aim is to make Nigerians and the constituted authority happy with our
performance, working in alignment with the new administration’s agenda. Nigerians should be rest assured that this committee will deliver.
The Procurement committee chairman further explained that his committee was privileged to have highly experienced Nigerians who have made their mark in governance and in business as members.
He said, “I can assure you that my committee will investigate activities in the procurement system since 2019 and ensure we right the wrongs to regain the confidence of the public in the procurement system.” He said.
