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Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
By: Michael Mike
A public procurement advocacy group, Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has decried that 70 percent of procurement proceedings are being initiated and concluded in the bedrooms of privileged few in the country, even as it
commended the Federal Government over plan to review the public procurement Act 2007 for possible amendments.
The group in a statement, signed by its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi and made available to Saturday in Abuja. said President Bola Tinubu has again demonstrated courage and tact in tackling one of the most vicious enemies of the country’s growth and development.
Akingunola stressed that ‘’the current Public Procurement Act enacted about 15 years ago is due for review in line with global best practices and changing operational dynamics in the public contracting sector.”
He noted that the Public Procurement in Nigeria has become an ‘anything goes’ phenomenon whereby everything and anything is possible maintaining that the Public Procurement Act in its current form is creating veneer of legality to blatant procurement illegality.
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He said: “The Act as it stands has been so bastardised to such an extent that restricted/selective tendency is now a norm rather than exception with more than 70 percent of procurement proceedings being initiated and concluded in the bedrooms of privileged few on whom the Act placed so much supervisory and regulatory responsibilities. The implication of this dastardly act is that 70 percent of the contract sum ended up under the same bedroom through which the procurement proceedings emanated as against solving critical national developmental problems.”
Akingunola emphasised that the Public Procurement Act is not creating any obstruction or impediment to development as what some self serving elements will want the people to beleif, the only timeline set out by the Procurement Act is the mandatory six weeks newspaper advertisement period for bid solicitation, and the wisdom in this is to promote competitiveness that will ensure economy and value for money, all other timeline and processes are at the discretion of procuring entities.
The statement further emphasised that for the country to be littered with over 11,000 abandoned federal projects alone under a regulated procurement system shows that it is the corrupt few that are now regulating their pockets.
‘’One of the major contributing factor for the bastardization of the procurement system in the country is that successive governments are in the habit of enforcing the Procurement Act in breach by the non constitution of the National Procurement Council and appointing Director General for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) through the back door of non-competitive selection.
Akingunola admonished president Tinubu not to consider the distractive proposal of some people making the President head of National Procurement Council, noting that presidents all over the world only sit to discuss policies and programmes not with contractors to debate contracts either at weekly Federal Executive Council or as Chairman of a National Procurement Council.
He also advised the government to enslaved stiffer sanctions against rampant mis-procurement particularly reverse-procurement whereby procurement proceedings are initiated and sometimes concluded without cash backing.
End
Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
Irate Plateau Youths Attempt Attack on NSCDC Facility, Troops Intervene to Avert Crisis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully averted an attempted mob attack on a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost in Plateau State, following unrest triggered by the detention of a suspect.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred within the operational area of Sector 6 under Operation Enduring Peace.
The sources said troops responded at about 11:00 a.m. on April 21 to intelligence indicating that irate youths had mobilised to attack and burn down the NSCDC outpost in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area.
According to the sources, the youths had gathered in protest over the detention of a suspect and were reportedly attempting to carry out jungle justice, as well as destroy the security facility.
Troops, working in collaboration with other security agencies, swiftly moved to the scene and dispersed the crowd before the situation escalated.
They also provided adequate security cover, enabling the safe evacuation of the detained suspect to the NSCDC headquarters to prevent further unrest.
The prompt intervention of the troops ensured that no lives were lost and the facility remained intact.
Irate Plateau Youths Attempt Attack on NSCDC Facility, Troops Intervene to Avert Crisis
Troops Conduct Clearance Patrol, Dominate Tuba Axis in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have conducted a successful clearance patrol around the Tuba axis in Borno State, as part of ongoing operations to deny Boko Haram/ISWAP freedom of movement.
Security sources said that the operation was carried out by troops of 212 Battalion under Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on suspected terrorist activities within three kilometres east of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba.
The troops conducted a fighting patrol covering approximately 7.5 to 8 kilometres around the FOB, scanning multiple directions within the area of responsibility.
According to the sources, the terrorists hastily fled on sighting the advancing troops.
The patrol was described as hitch-free, with troops successfully dominating the general area and identifying no immediate threats.
Military authorities noted that the operation is part of sustained efforts to maintain pressure on terrorist groups and prevent their regrouping within the theatre.
Troops Conduct Clearance Patrol, Dominate Tuba Axis in Borno
Troops Foil ISWAP Indirect Fire Attack on Gwoza, No Casualties Recorded
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully foiled an attempted indirect fire attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists targeting military positions and civilian areas in Gwoza.
Security sources said that the incident occurred at about 12:06 p.m. on April 22, when the terrorists fired four 105mm high-explosive bombs from positions within the Mandara Mountains into troop deployment areas and adjoining parts of the town.
The attack reportedly caused panic among residents but did not result in any casualties.
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly with coordinated counter-battery fire and ground reinforcements, effectively neutralising the threat and preventing any attempt by the attackers to infiltrate defensive positions.
Military authorities confirmed that the prompt and disciplined response of the troops brought the situation under control within a short time.
They added that no casualties were recorded among both military personnel and civilians during the engagement.
The military noted that while the general security situation in the theatre remains relatively calm, it is still unpredictable, with troops maintaining maximum vigilance.
Authorities reassured residents of continued operations to safeguard communities and sustain pressure on terrorist elements operating in the North East.
Troops Foil ISWAP Indirect Fire Attack on Gwoza, No Casualties Recorded
Irate Plateau Youths Attempt Attack on NSCDC Facility, Troops Intervene to Avert Crisis
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Informant, Intercept Logistics Supplies in Borno
Troops Conduct Clearance Patrol, Dominate Tuba Axis in Borno
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