Abuja – Mr Mohammed Aliyu, Registrar, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP).
He said this on Friday in Abuja during the Batch B 2016 mandatory proficiency development programme for certified members of the institute.
The programme is themed: “Procurement Excellence: A tool for Change Across all Sectors of the Nigerian economy’’.
Aliyu said that all over the world, procurement was very important and questioned why the procurement law which was enacted in 2007 is not fully operational.
According to him, if the arms deal was handled by professionals it would have followed due process and not end up being having the money diverted.
Also, Mr Abdul Mamman, North Central Coordinator of the institute said that procurement professionals should be allowed to play their roles in the procurement process.
According to him, this is the only way to ensure that Nigerians get value for their money.
“When you do not allow professionals to play their role you will have problems.
According to him, procurement gets the highest budgetary allocation in any country and to be saddled with such responsibility of procurement one must have vision, courtesy, willingness and understanding of procurement.
“Procurement drives the budget implementation and it gives you the astute and responsible opportunity for you to push what you are supposed to push.’’
He explained that the programme was aimed at discussing latest developments in the procurement process and brought procurement specialists up to date on those developments.
“We are here to discuss latest development on the way and manner of procurement because it is an evolving field and we need professionals to be prepared for the challenges ahead.’’
Mrs Akoh-Ali Victoria, one of the participants, said through the programme she had learnt that the needs of the people should be put into consideration before any project was embarked upon.
She said this would help to ascertain what project should be embarked upon at any given time.
“If we can get our procurement right we will be able to have the needed development in the country and failed projects will be minimised.
“From the beginning you will ascertain your need and that will determine what you will do and the budget that goes with it, that way the common man will be affected positively.’’
Mr Lawal Olanrewaju from Lagos State Law Reform Commission said it had inspired him to know his core responsibility as a procurement officer in Nigeria.
He also said that if due process was followed, it would ensure Nigerians to get value for their money.
The four day programme which began on Wednesday would end on Saturday. (NAN)