The campaign for due process and accountability in the nation’s public procurement process score the bull’s eye on Wednesday as Nigeria’s senate urged President Goodluck Jonathan to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement now!
Civil society groups led by PRADIN have been in the vanguard of those pointing the dangers of the absence of a council.Surprisingly, the presidency seems to be foot-dragging on the matter despite its repeated pledge to ensure due process and accountability.Ffeelers from experts suggest that the bulk of the contracts awarded by the FG without the council in place so far are patently illegal .
A recent attempt by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati to defend why the council has not been constituted drew a trenchant response from Mohammed B. Attah who pointed out the blunders in Abati’s statement.
Senators today lead by Senate President David Mark decried the fact that the council which ought to have been constituted five years ago is still non- existent.
Constituting the council will form a pillar in the battle to check corruption in contract award process.And it is even amazing to note that the FG has conveniently ignored this body which is vital to the regime’s much- vaunted anti corruption battle.