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Procurement Act: We will mobilise Nigerians to protest amendments without stakeholders, citizens’ input, NEFGAD tells FG
Procurement Act: We will mobilise Nigerians to protest amendments without stakeholders, citizens’ input, NEFGAD tells FG
By: Michael Mike
Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group has warned the federal government against towing the path of seeking amendments to the Public Procurement Act 2007 without stakeholders and citizens input as provided by relevant laws and due legislative process.
The group threatened to mobilize citizens and stakeholders to protest any amendment that fall short of constitutional provisions and necessary legislative guidelines.
The group issued this warning through a statement signed by its Head of Office, Mr. Omoniyi Akingunola and released to the media in Abuja on Tuesday.
The group said it received from reliable authority that “some elements within the system had perfected plans to hurriedly smuggle suffocating and self-serving provisions as amendments to the Act with timeline clandestinely allotted to the amendment processes with blatant disregard to stakeholders and citizen’s input.”
The group further stated that the interested parties already have drafted manuscripts to be handed-out to The constituted Public Procurement Act amendment committee and the National Assembly with no regard to citizens and stakeholders’ input.
The group however said it has nothing against the amendment of the Public Procurement Act which it said was long overdue, but insisted that the right and due process of amendment must be followed as stated in the Nigerian constitution. This due process, it said, includes citizens and stakeholders’ engagement and input, through a call for memoranda and public hearing.
The group said it frowned at a situation whereby for over a month, the only information in the public regarding proposed amendment to such an important law on public procurement was the inauguration of the selected amendment committee.
Akingunola said public procurement is the lifewire of government and the main channel through which governments serve the people, it constitutes over 90percent of entire government spendings, hence any legal framework around its operations must seek the input of people it intend to serve. The people must have a say in the way and manner they want to be served and catered for.
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Procurement Act: We will mobilise Nigerians to protest amendments without stakeholders, citizens’ input, NEFGAD tells FG
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of ISWAP in Bita area of Borno state following a fierce overnight encounter.
Security sources said the attack began at about 1:09 a.m. on Saturday, when the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in the Bita axis.
According to the sources, the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops’ position but were met with stiff resistance from the soldiers who engaged them in a sustained gun battle.
“In a decisive and coordinated operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist positions in Bita in the early hours of today,” the source said.
The coordinated response involved ground troops engaging the insurgents while aerial support conducted precision strikes and surveillance over the battlefield, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The intense engagement compelled the terrorists to withdraw towards their enclaves after suffering heavy pressure from the combined land and air assault.
Following the withdrawal of the insurgents, troops immediately commenced exploitation operations to pursue fleeing elements of the terrorist group and prevent them from regrouping.
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
Unrest reported at Kara Cow Market in Gusau, one person killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Tension erupted at Kara Cow Market in Magami, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State following a reported shooting incident involving civilians affiliated with a Maiduguri-based Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilante groups.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on March 13 when a group of JTF operatives, identified as DSS assets attached to PW Construction Company reportedly entered the market and discharged firearms indiscriminately, creating panic among residents.
During the unrest, an unidentified Fulani man was pursued and killed by members of the local vigilante group, known as Askarawa who intervened amid the chaos. The body was reportedly taken to the Askarawa office in Magami by members of the mob.
Authorities said investigations have commenced and the area is under close monitoring to prevent further escalation.
Residents have been advised to exercise caution and cooperate with security operatives while the incident is being thoroughly investigated.
Unrest reported at Kara Cow Market in Gusau, one person killed
Troops repel bandit attack on Tsafe health college in Zamfara, neutralized bandit
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with local vigilante members known as Askara, have neutralised a bandit during a foiled attempt to abduct students at the College of Science and Health Technology Tsafe, Zamfara state.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred late at night when suspected armed bandits attempted to infiltrate the school premises in Tsafe with the apparent intention of kidnapping students.
The sources disclosed that troops of Operation Fansan Yanma, working in synergy with local security volunteers (Askara), swiftly responded to the threat and engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
During the confrontation, one of the bandits was neutralised while others fled into nearby bushes.
Due to the darkness and the urgency of the operation, the troops and local security volunteers were unable to immediately recover the weapon belonging to the neutralised suspect.
Troops have since intensified patrols around the area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents as well as students of the institution.
The sources said the prompt response by the troops and the local vigilantes prevented what could have been a major kidnapping incident targeting students of the college.
Bandit attacks and attempted abductions of students have been a recurring security challenge in parts of northwestern Nigeria, prompting increased collaboration between security forces and community-based vigilante groups.
Troops have urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against bandits in the region.
Troops repel bandit attack on Tsafe health college in Zamfara, neutralized bandit
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
Unrest reported at Kara Cow Market in Gusau, one person killed
Troops repel bandit attack on Tsafe health college in Zamfara, neutralized bandit
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