Jos -A Bill for the establishment of Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), in Plateau, passed second reading in the State House of Assembly in Jos on Thursday.
Sponsor of the bill, Ibrahim Baba-Hassan (Jos North-North), said the proposed law would harmonise existing policies and ensure accountability in governance.
He added that a BPP law would establish standards and transparency in the process of procuring government properties.
“This bill, if passed into law, will ensure due process in governance as well as judicious use of state resources.
“It will ensure good governance, responsibility, accountability and curb excessive spending by government.
“It will, most importantly, curtail corruption in every government set up’’, he said.
Majority Leader of the House and co-sponsor of the bill, Daniel Dem, said the BPP bill was timely.
Dem, who represents Riyom constituency in the House, said the bill, if passed into law, would assist government in its fight against corruption.
He added that the masses, especially contractors would benefit more, when they go in search of contracts.
He said the proposed law would reduce litigations arising from every angle in the state thereby making things easy and simple for both citizens and government.
“I believe this bill will introduce due process in all ramifications. I urge this House to expedite action in passing this bill, so as to help in the government against looting’’, he said.
Mr Ezekiel Afon (Pengana) said the bill would help to ensure prudence and enthrone ethics in procurement by government.
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Afon said people with integrity should be appointed to man the agency once established.
“When established, it must be totally independent, and interference from government must be minimal.’’ (NAN)
