ABUJA – In a move to strengthen the operations of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to increase the agency’s yearly budgetary allocation.
The appeal was made during Thursday’s plenary, where lawmakers highlighted the need for the BPP to be adequately funded to fulfill its constitutional mandate effectively.
The Bureau of Public Procurement, established under the Public Procurement Act of 2007, is responsible for regulating the procurement of goods, services, and works by the Federal Government and its agencies. Its mission is to ensure the application of fair, competitive, transparent, and value-for-money procurement practices across the public sector.
The House resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “Need to review the budgetary allocation of the Bureau of Public Procurement, moved by the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Unyime Idem.
Emphasizing the importance of transparency, competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and professionalism in public sector procurement, Idem stressed the need for adequate funding for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
He argued that sufficient resources are essential for the BPP to effectively carry out its mandate and serve the nation’s best interests.
The lawmaker inpursuit of this noble objective emphasized the need for relentless efforts to ensure timely monitoring and surveillance of Federal Government procurement procedures across ongoing projects in all six geo-political zones.
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He stated, “The House acknowledges that the Bureau’s budgetary allocation in the 2024 Appropriation Act stands at N42.2 billion.
“However, this funding is grossly inadequate to support the Bureau’s extensive mandate, particularly with regard to procurement audits, monitoring, and surveillance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) nationwide.”
“The House is concern over the rising incidence of procurement irregularities in Nigeria, particularly within the public sector, where such issues account for over 70 percent of cases.
The lawmakers stressed the urgent need to enforce procurement policies and ensure due process compliance, in line with global best practices.
“The House emphasized that the growing trend of procurement anomalies demands immediate measures to strengthen oversight and promote value-for-money, transparency, competitiveness, and professionalism in public sector procurement.
Following the adoption of the motion through a voice vote during the session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, to review the budgetary allocation for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The review is to align with current realities and enable the Bureau to effectively carry out its core mandate.
Furthermore, the House urged the BPP to collaborate with key stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations, and the National Assembly.
