By Emma Okereh
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged to support the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to curb procurement corrupt practices and other related offences in the country.
The pledge was made recently by the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu when the newly-appointed Director General of the BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun paid a courtesy call. It was made so that Nigerians could not be deprived of the dividends of a good and transparent procurement system and for overall development of Nigeria.
While congratulating Dr. Adetokun on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Aliyu reiterated that ICPC would give the Bureau of Public Procurement all the needed support, most especially on matters that had to do with fighting corruption in procurement system of the country.
A statement by the Spokesperson of the commission, Demola Bakare and made available to The Authority said that the ICPC boss also welcomed the idea of ICPC/BPP collaboration to achieve their mandates; emphasising that “no entity could fight corruption alone hence the need for effective collaboration is apt and necessary”.
“With effective collaboration, we’ll be helping people to get value for money on their own projects, we will also be helping the economy and those in businesses to get contracts through legitimate ways so that no Nigerian will be deprived of right to participate in procurement processes.
“There should be open competition, so that we can know those who are competent to deliver the job”. ICPC Chairman added.
Earlier in his address, the DG of BPP thanked the President for considering him worthy of the appointment, just as he expressed his readiness to see that Nigerians embark on transparent procurement processes that are up to global standards.
Dr. Adedokun also called for a renewal of the existing collaboration with the ICPC just as he made other requests during the visit to include evaluation reports, procurement audit and forging professionalism in procurement activities.
The BPP DG stated “We have a long history together to help this country fight corruption, deliver on good governance, an evidence-based industrialisation, and economic development for our nation.
Showing further appreciation, the DG said “we are passionate to come to you even though we just resumed, so that we can work together and fish out those misusing funds and to give Nigerians the transparency that they desired”, he concludes.
