The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd has called for increased penalties and Transparency in Nigerian Procurement activities and practices. He lamented the recalling issues of circumventing of some provisions of the Procurement Act such as contract splitting and variation.

The PSC Chairman  spoke today, Wednesday,  August 7th, 2024, at the fifth edition of the Commission’s ‘Arena of Knowledge’ weekly lecture series held at it’s Parry Osayande Auditorium in Jabi Abuja. 

He presented a paper on Public Procurement  in Nigeria: Police Service Commission template,Process and Practices where he traced the Structure of a Procurement  Planning Committee in Government Ministries  and Parastatals; the basic three categories of contract in public Procurement  Act, 2007;  and Rules of the Contracting Game which the procuring Entity  should comply with. 

He also looked into the Legal Framework and Administrative Instruments in Public Procurement in Nigeria and the Liabilities and Consequences of the Implications for non-compliance.

Dr. Argungu frowned at the non-operationalization of the National Council on Public Procurement and lack of proper administrative control and Oversight function over Ministries, Departments  and Agencies in contract award and execution by the Bureau of Public Procurement. 

He also spoke on the challenges  of delays in processing and approval of request of “NO Objection” by the Bureau and inadequate funding to sustain capacity building.

 He also noted that mismatch between  budgetary appropriations and the actual release of funds is a serious threat in Nigerian Public Procurement practices.

DIG Argungu  mentioned  delay in the investigation  and prosecution  of Offenders  of the Provisions of the Procurement Act; delays in payment and sometimes non-payment  of contractors for work done and weak inforcement that have given rise to pervasive culture of non-compliance.

He called for the elevation of Procurement authority  to high level “presumably to a talented person of high integrity)”, strengthening Anti-corruption measures, enhancing the legal and regulatory framework and mitigating political influences. 

Mr. Aliyu Ahmad, Head, Procurement Unit of the Commission in his presentation on the same subject matter said Public Procurement can stimulate  economic activity, create jobs and support local businesses. 

He added that it also promotes openness,  fairness and accountability in government spending. 

Mr. Ahmad said Public Procurement ensures government gets the best value for its money, reducing waste and inefficiency  and also facilitates the development of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public buildings.

According to him “good Procurement is impartial, consistent and therefore  reliable. It offers all interested contractors, suppliers and consultants a level playing field on which to compete and thereby, directly expands the purchaser’s options and opportunities” adding that it establishes and maintains rules and procedures that are accessible and unambiguous.

Ikechukwu Ani 

Head Press and Public Relations 

Wednesday,  August 7th 2024