(Press Release) Engr. Emeka Ezeh, DG, BPP during the presentation of the national database registration for contractors, consultants and service providers at the Federal Ministry of Works stated that the focus of the drive is to ensure a transparent and corrupt free procurement process in the country and to ensure a level playing ground that will allow for holistic participation from different categories of Nigerians to do government business without knowing anybody in the system.
DG, BPP stressed that the exercise will demystify the proliferation of registration by contractors in different MDAs in order to do government business.Whereas, the exercise makes BPP a one-stop shop for registration as a contractor/consultant/service provider to do government business with the usual bottlenecks complexities experienced discontinued.
Emeka Ezeh further reiterated the fact that through categorization and classification, incompetent people who want to do government business because they have people in the government will be discouraged. Stating that the era of knowing one big man in the government that would spring a contract with or without the prerequisite qualifications will be disallowed through this exercise. A fact he further espoused to be in line with the Transformation Agenda of the administration of the President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
The Director General of the Bureau also intoned that the era of analogue, that is, the human interface that could influence the procurement process will be phased out through classification. He explained that it will curb corrupt and sharp practices that had hitherto impeded the public procurement process in the country. While addressing the audience, Emeka Ezeh explained that one very salient point with the exercise is that it will help indigenous contractors and companies to build capacity, while classification will also scare off incompetent contractors. He also emphasized the fact that the exercise will go round to the other key MDAs to initiate their buy-in as well
Arc. Mike O. Onolememen, the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Works while responding, appreciated the laudable efforts of the Bureau and the DG stating that the exercise will give room for accountability and the rule of law. In his response, he further explained that what the Bureau is doing is building a system and an institution which will outstay everyone. This system in place, he said will attract and encourage foreign investors into the country. Finally, the Minister said that he and the ministry will key in to the system as soon as it takes off and will also encourage other colleagues to follow suit.
At the presentation were the Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, the PS of Works, Bukar Goni Aji and the MD of FERMA.
