The Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply Management has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold assent to Procurement Act which was recently amended by the National Assembly.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Institute’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, some members of the Association stressed that the amendment was not in line with international best practices, adding that it may encourage corruption.
For instance, they said that the increment of mobilization fee from 15 per cent to 30 per cent was not logical as it could embolden fraudulent contractors to abandon contracts.
The Act requires public institutions and other relevant parties to ensure that all public procurements are conducted in a manner that is transparent, timely and equitable and based on the agreed guidelines, thresholds and standards.
Mr Ado Jubrin, President, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria said that the original Act had not even been implemented to ascertain the lapses that would have required amendment.
He wondered how those who amended the Act arrived at their conclusion without even first implementing the original Act.
He said that the amendment also negates the submissions and recommendations of the institute.
A cross-section, of Fellow Awardees displaying their plagues, during the Institute’s Investiture and Annual General Meeting in Abuja.
“It is our view that the present Act be allowed as it is, let it be practice first, that is only when you can discover the problems.
“As it is now, it has never been implemented and now we are making changes to an Act that has never been used.
“Now you are making amendments blindly,” he said.
Mr Abdul A Mamman, Coordinator North Central of the Institute wondered why since 2007 that the Act was enacted, the National Council on Public Procurement had yet to be inaugurated.
