The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a non-profit organization that opposes corruption, has claimed that the Federal Executive Council has improperly interfered in public procurement and contract approval.
The non-governmental organization delivered a two-page letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, which was signed by the organization’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, to make their position known. The organization claimed that without the Council, the Federal Executive Council’s duties are unconstitutional. The Council is vital as it recommends the Bureau’s Director-General to the President.
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HEDA urges the president to form the National Council on Public Procurement to stop illegal interference in contract approval. The Public Procurement Act of 2007 was enacted to prevent fraud in government procurement, reduce political interference, and ensure accountability. It is crucial to follow the Act and respect the National Council on Public Procurement.
The letter suggests that the President can appoint the chairman and members of the National Council on Public Procurement, as stated in Section 1 of the Act. This would help ensure that politicians are not involved in procurement processes, which was a concern raised by the World Bank in its country Pro HEDA sent a letter urging Senator Isa Shuaibu Lau, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, to ensure compliance with Public Procurement Act Section 17 on contract approval and with Parastatals Tenders Board (PTB) and Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB), aiding in the restoration of public trust in government procurement.
HEDA urged the President to promptly form the National Council on Public Procurement as per Public Procurement Act. If not met within 14 days, legal action will be taken.
