Lawmaker seeks urgent amendment of Public Procurement Act
The Member representing Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Okpolupm Etteh, has called for urgent amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007, to enhance effective governance and transparency in Nigeria’s procurement processes.
Etteh, who was a delegate of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, said he made the call during a 4-day legislative engagement in Kigali, Rwanda.
The event, themed “Public Procurement Law for Effective Legislative Oversight and Compliance Monitoring”, afforded lawmakers the opportunity to critically examine procurement practices and discuss reform measures.
While sharing his experiences with journalists in Uyo on Sunday, on return from the Kigali trip, Etteh said, “There is the urgent need for amendment of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 for effective governance and transparency in our procurement processes.”
The Kigali trip, the lawmaker noted, afforded the entire members of the Committee, the opportunity to critically discuss public procurement practices in Nigeria and evaluate the bidding processes for goods, services, and works.
He stated that the event also exposed them to the intricacies of procurement planning, management, and negotiation with key players and stakeholders in the sector.
The federal lawmaker stated that discussions at the event included “Audit and Monitoring in Public Procurement, the shortcomings of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, other procurement regulations in Nigeria, legislative powers and oversight, as well as best practices for public procurement committees.”
Etteh revealed that he recommended an urgent transition to an e-procurement system, increased stakeholder engagement, and enhanced competition, adding “The Public Procurement Act 2007, if urgently amended, would ensure the effective implementation of public procurement processes and procedures in Nigeria.
“Additionally, I propose the inauguration of the National Council on Public Procurement to oversee and streamline public procurement practices.”
Etteh, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, also advocated stricter penalties for violations of procurement processes.
He maintained that his recommendations would promote transparency, accountability, fairness, efficiency, and integrity, which are key principles of global public procurement practices.
During their visit to Kigali, Etteh and his colleagues engaged officials of the Rwandan Public Procurement Authority to compare procurement practices and procedures between the two countries.
They also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a site dedicated to the victims of the 1994 genocide, for reflection and learning.
