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The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government on Thursday to increase the yearly budgetary allocation to the Bureau of Public Procurement to enable it to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate.
The BPP is the regulatory authority responsible for monitoring and overseeing public procurement, harmonising existing government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards, and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria.
The resolution of the House was a sequel to the adoption of a motion at Thursday’s plenary on the “Need to Review the Budgetary Allocation of the Bureau of Public Procurement,” moved by the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Unyime Idem.
Stressing the need for transparency, competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and professionalism in the public sector procurement system, Idem argued that the BPP requires adequate funding to fulfil its functions for the good of the country.
To realise this noble objective, the lawmaker stated that no effort should be spared to ensure prompt monitoring and surveillance of Federal Government procurement procedures in the ongoing projects across the six geo-political zones.
He said, “The House is aware that the budgetary allocation for the Bureau in the Appropriation Act, 2024, is N42.2 billion. The existing funds provided for the Bureau are grossly inadequate to meet the extensive responsibilities of procurement audits, monitoring, and surveillance in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
“The House is also concerned that, given the prevailing trend of procurement irregularities in Nigeria, constituting over 70 per cent in the public sector, there is an increasing need to ensure the implementation of procurement policies and compliance with due process, in line with global best practices.
“The increasing rate of procurement irregularities in the public sector necessitates urgent measures for effective oversight to ensure value for money, transparency, competitiveness, and professionalism.”
Following the adoption of the motion in a voice vote at the session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, to review the budgetary allocation of the BPP “in line with current realities in subsequent budget estimates to enable the successful discharge of the Bureau’s core mandate.”
The House also urged the Bureau to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, civil society organisations, and the National Assembly “to enhance the provision of a legal and institutional framework and professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria for the holistic development of our beloved country.”
This is in addition to mandating its Committees on Public Procurement and Appropriations to follow up and ensure an upward review of the Bureau’s budgetary allocation in subsequent budget estimates.
