During a recent budget defense session with the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) in Abuja, Hon. Unyime Idem, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, accused public service procurement of exacerbating corruption.
Hon. Idem disclosed plans for the National Assembly to amend the BPP Act, aiming to strengthen the legislation in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Highlighting the BPP’s role in ensuring good governance, Hon. Idem emphasized the need to empower the agency for more effective functioning.
He stated, “The National Assembly is working on the amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 to reflect present-day realities and to meet global best practices.”
In a commitment to collaboration, Hon. Idem assured that the committee would work closely with the BPP to ensure the 2024 budget positively impacts citizens and contributes to the country’s wealth creation.
He pledged to intensify oversight functions to strengthen the Bureau and establish an efficient procurement system aligned with international best practices.
Addressing the connection between corruption and procurement processes, Hon. Idem asserted, “The Committee on Public Procurement has a vital role to play in the eradication of corruption in the country, as most corruption cases can be traced to procurement processes.”
He called for continuous cooperation with the BPP to uphold due process, transparency, and accountability in the procurement of goods and services, ensuring responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
