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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.
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Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
Boko Haram claims victory over ISWAP in new video
By: Zagazola Makama
Boko Haram on Wednesday released a video taunting the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) over recent clashes in the northeast.
In the four-minute video, a Boko Haram member, appearing to speak on behalf of the group, claimed that their fighters had defeated ISWAP in a recent confrontation, asserting that “God will continue to defeat them.”
The speaker challenged those claiming that ISWAP had the upper hand, urging them to provide evidence through their Telegram or WhatsApp handles to substantiate such claims.
He further stated that in the recent encounter, ISWAP brought eight boats, all of which were captured or destroyed by Boko Haram, resulting in numerous casualties. Only a few militants reportedly escaped with two boats, according to the video.
The release of the video comes amid week long intensified clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno and surrounding states, illustrating ongoing internal rivalry between
the extremist factions.
Boko Haram claims victory over ISWAP in new video
Forest guard shoots IDP dead in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A 19-year-old forestry guard ranger has allegedly shot dead an internally displaced person (IDP) at Rann camp in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when the suspect, identified as Mohammed Abbalayi, allegedly fired an AK-47 rifle at the victim, Abba Kime Jugudum, aged 25.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI deployed in the area immediately responded, secured the scene, and recovered the weapon an AK-47 rifle along with 25 rounds of live ammunition.
The victim’s remains were evacuated to the General Hospital in Rann, where he was confirmed dead by a medical officer and later released to his relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.
Sources told Zagazola that the suspect was discreetly transferred to Maiduguri for further investigation by relevant authorities.
Kala-Balge, located along the Nigeria–Cameroon border, hosts thousands of displaced persons affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
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COAS lauds security improvement in Enugu during courtesy visit to governor
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shuaibu, on Wednesday commended the security situation in Enugu State, noting significant improvements across the state.
Lt Gen Shuaibu, who was on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, said his visit coincided with the closing ceremony of the Regular Short Service Module (RSM) Convention, aimed at strengthening leadership, discipline, and professional development among RSMs.
“I am pleased to report that security in Enugu has significantly improved, as briefed by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division. The state has shown remarkable cooperation with the military, which has enhanced operational effectiveness,” he said.
The COAS praised Governor Mbah for his support to the Army and pledged continued collaboration to protect lives and property in the state. He emphasized that the Army remains committed to sustaining peace and ensuring a safe environment for residents.
Highlighting the RSM Convention, Lt Gen Shuaibu noted that the programme equipped participants with knowledge to lead with integrity, mentor soldiers, and enhance discipline and regimentation within the Army.
Governor Mbah, in his remarks, welcomed the COAS and described his appointment as a “square peg in a square hole,” expressing confidence in his leadership and commitment to national security.
Mbah said it was an honor to host him in Enugu and formally congratulate him on his appointment. He commended the COAS for immediately hitting the ground running, noting that he had already visited the northeast to assess security operations.
Governor Mbah acknowledged the critical role of the military in ensuring a safe and secure environment, stating, “We could not have achieved the sort of safe and secure city and state that we have here today without the active support of the Army. This is a partnership, and this support is going to be sustained.”
He further emphasized the need for continued collaboration, expressing confidence that joint engagement between the state and the military would strengthen security objectives nationwide.
On behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, Governor Mbah warmly welcomed the COAS to the state and wished him a fruitful visit during the closing ceremony of the Regiment Seargent Major (RSM) Convention.
COAS lauds security improvement in Enugu during courtesy visit to governor
Boko Haram claims victory over ISWAP in new video
Forest guard shoots IDP dead in Borno
COAS lauds security improvement in Enugu during courtesy visit to governor
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