The National Assembly has frowned at attitude of some ministries, department and agencies of government who are in the habit of ignoring legislative summons.
The chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on public procurement, Rt Rt.Hon Unyime Idem handed down the warning in a keynote address delivered at a Public Hearing, organized as part legislative engagements for the amendment of Chartered Institute of Purchasing And Supply Management Act 2007, held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Reps Idem who represents Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom state in strong words warned Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, that fail to honour invitations of the Parliament, to desist forthwith from such anti-democratic attitude.
The lawmaker made it clear that failure of MDAs to comply with the directive, “the Committee will not hesitate to invoke its legislative powers in accordance with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Order 20 Rule 92 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, and Section 58 (5) of Public Procurement Act, including possible legal action, to ensure uninterrupted functioning of our democratic institutions.”
He reiterated the Committee’s commitment to uphold the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, value for money and efficiency in the procurement of works, goods and services within MDAs as stipulated in the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
He further noted that strict adherence and due process compliance with the PPA 2007 is mandatory for all MDAs to avoid legal repercussions and ensure efficient and ethical utilization of public resources.
Recall that the House in plenary on Wednesday, 28th February 2024 considered a bill seeking to amend the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Act, 2007 to be in tandem with what obtains in the Procurement Professional Practice Across the Globe and for Related Matters (Hb. 346), and after a debate on the bill, it was referred to the Committee on Public Procurement for further robust legislative input from procurement professionals and stakeholders.
Commenting on the House procedure, the Public Procurement Committee chairman said “we consider public hearing as an utmost avenue to distil public opinion and check the pulse of the nation over our activities. Our objective is to provide our people with the needed space to participate in our law making processes.”
“This CIPSMN bill is considered a priority because of the important role it has played in shaping professionals in the field of purchasing and supply chain management in Nigeria and the development of high standard professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in procurement practice.”
He therefore urged the participants to make submissions that will proffer solutions to the issues besetting the purchasing and supply chain management in Nigeria, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
