FG moves to end unfunded contract awards

The Federal Government has directed that no new public contracts should be awarded without confirmed funding, as part of efforts to improve project delivery across the country.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed this on the sidelines of the Inaugural Hosting of “The Procurement Evolution” in Abuja on Thursday.

Adedokun said President Bola Tinubu had approved measures to raise resources needed to settle outstanding obligations to contractors, describing timely payment as critical to an efficient procurement system.

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“Mr President has given a directive on when funds should be raised to address the concerns of contractors who are yet to be paid.

“With this, procurement processes will be much better because payment is now tied to procurement.

“Meaning that no award will be further issued without resources or funding available. So these are the things that the President has asked us to do.”

The BPP boss said the government was also implementing 23 procurement reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and value for money in public spending.

According to him, committees to drive the reforms will soon be inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

He said the reforms were designed to ensure that Nigerians benefit directly through improved infrastructure, healthcare, education and better living conditions.

“The president wants Nigerians to feel the effects of this transformation by having good roads, good hospitals, good educational institutions, and a good living wage for all workers.”

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said public procurement remained central to the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Akume noted that ongoing reforms, including proposed amendments to the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Nigeria First Policy, Nigeria e-Marketplace initiative, community-based procurement and affirmative procurement programmes, were intended to strengthen local industries and promote economic inclusion.

The SGF, represented by Dr Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the SGF, added that the reforms would enhance transparency, simplify procurement processes and leverage technology to improve service delivery and national development.

“As we move forward, our collective responsibility is very clear.

“We must ensure that procurement processes are simplified. without compromising accountability, that technology is fully leveraged to eliminate inefficiencies and that all stakeholders work collaboratively to achieve shared national goals.

“The federal government remains fully committed to supporting the Bureau of Public Procurement in driving these reforms and ensuring that public procurement becomes a catalyst for economic growth, infrastructure development and improved quality of life for all our citizens.”

NAN reports that the event , with the theme “The Procurement Evolution: Honouring the Past, Powering the Future.” featured the unveiling of the Current/Future Initiative.