A Non-governmental organisation, Awareness And Civil Progress (AACP) Initiative, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant authorities to scrutinise the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
AACP Programme Manager, Saaondo Ternenger said the call became necessary in view of the overarching need to ensure the Bureau deliver on its mandates of streamlining the nation’s procurement process.
Ternenger alleged that the BPP’s unnecessary delay in issuing certificate of no objection to MDAs and other contract awarding entities of government, was putting the enitre process in jeopardy making more Nigerians question the whole system.
He alleged that some staff of the Bureau engage in unethical practices “by deliberately delaying approval and issuance of certificate of no objection.
He claimed some staff in the Bureau have turned the certificate of no-objection into money making venture as they repeatedly extort many and hence, “are frustrating government’s genuine efforts”.
“There are widespread concerns about some staff perpetrating unethical practices in dealing with relevant ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) officials before granting the certificate of no objection.
“Some aggrieved contractors are threatening to embark on mass protest. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should take another look at the BPP and if necessary, change the leadership.
” Alot of MDAs face challenges in executing projects because of the deliberate attempts to frustrate it by the BPP. There is no contesting the fact that the actions of BPP is the major impediments to smooth implementation of government policies and programmes” he added.
He appealed to the president to urgently overhaul the BPP in view of its strategic role in curbing wastages of public funds.
