National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Experts, on Wednesday, agreed at the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA) Organized Advocacy programme on procurement process that the public procurement act passed years ago was the true bulwark against corruption in Nigeria. They, however, advised that only an effective implementation of the Act in the grass-root will bring salvation to the nation.
Speaking at the event the National President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Alabi Akilade said although he is not campaigning for Fiscal Autonomy at the grassroots but for decentralization and devolution of powers at that level of government
As he stated, in a democracy you need more than fiscal autonomy, but devolution to make democracy tick and work. He asked all concerned to ensure that procurement laws are effectively obeyed.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Chief( Mrs) Yetunde Arobieke and PPA General Manager, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote enjoined all officials of Lagos State and others to keep themselves abreast of the procurement Laws, the Local Government administrative guidelines in order to perform effectively in their various functions.
According to Idowu “ The Lagos State Government is mindful of the importance and sensitivity of your responsibilities as chairmen and key functionaries in the procurement process and ready to invest heavily in building your capacity. This will not only benefit the government, but more importantly, all the stakeholders”.
The advocacy programme was graced by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri – Okunola who was represented by the permanent secretary, Samson Ajibade, Lagos State Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Commissioner who was represented by Mrs. Olubiyan Aguda, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, chairman Local Government Service commission Lagos State etc.
Mr. Muri – Okunola in his contribution urged the public officers in the state to work together in a spirit of brotherhood, saying that teamwork will always win.
While Alhaji Rotinwa in his speech warned the local government chairmen to ensure that the Local Government workers are involved in their procurement committees, saying that they would ensure that fault lines are reduced as two heads are better than one.
He enjoined them that they should also ensure that the views of their legal officials were sort in the implementation of the procurement Act, saying that the Ministry of Justice Lagos State should also be carried along in executive processes to make sure that they are within the confirms of the laws and regulations of the state.
As he said even when their budgets had been approved he urged them to always have a procurement plan and set up evaluation committees to ensure that they are on the right part.
