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BUREAU OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT DEFENDS 2024 BUDGET PROPOSAL BEFORE REP
IDEM’S COMMITTEE

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement has promised to intensify its oversight functions to strengthen the Bureau of Public Procurement to build and sustain an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.

Chairman of the committee and member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rep Unyime Idem, made the promise in his opening remarks during the budget defence session of the bureau at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

Idem reminded the Bureau that the exercise is “in fulfilment of the Constitutional provision that mandates Committees of the National Assembly to scrutinize the annual budget of MDAs under their jurisdiction, as provided for, in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulated in Section 81(1).”

He also emphasized the vital role the Committee on Public Procurement plays in the eradication of corruption in the country, noting that “most of the corruption cases in the country can be traced to Procurement processes.”

The Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal lawmaker therefore reiterated the need for continuous cooperation of the Bureau of Public Procurement to enable the committee work harmoniously to ensure that all MDAs observe due process, transparency and accountability in the procurement of goods and services to ensure that all tax payers money are accounted for and spent judiciously.

Idem also reminded the Bureau that the National Assembly is working on the Amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 to reflect present day realities and to meet best practices.

Thereafter, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement with his team took the committee through the 2023 Budget performance and then presented the Bureau’s Budget estimate for the year, 2024.

The budget, after thorough scrutiny, was passed at the committee level after a motion was duly moved and seconded.