The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Monday urged the House of Representatives not to pass the bill seeking to amend the establishing Act of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria.
The agency said the amendment being sought would largely bring the Institute in conflict with the mandate of the Bureau.
Making presentation at a public hearing on Monday, director ofCivil Infrastructure of the Bureau, Nasir Bello, who represented the director general of the BPP said, having reviewed the bill, the bureau is of the view that allowing the amendment to Section 1(c) which seeks to “(c) providing training, education and examination of persons desiring to become professional procurers as well as procurement auditors according to the provisions of the act whether in Nigeria or abroad,” will bring it in conflict with section 5(k) of the Public Procurement Act.
Also, he said amending section 12 as contained in the Bill will also bring it in conflict with global standards and the provision of the Procurement Act, adding that the institute should rather focus on its primary role in relation to purchasing. procurement, store, materials, warehouse, logistics management or procurement chain management in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“It should not be allowed to delve into functions of the Bureau in relation to procurement and Public procurement in particular. In carrying out its mandate as stipulated in Section 5 (k) of the PPA, the Bureau has several higher institutions of learning handling courses on Procurement. The institute may change its name but the scope of its mandate should remain, as it is contained in its extant law,” he stated.
Earlier, Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, while declaring the event open, said the public hearing reinforces the dedication of the House to open, participatory and consultative parliament as enumerated significantly in the Legislative Agenda
Represented by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbare, the speaker said effective procurement and supply processes play a vital role in economic growth and development and essentially provoke efficient public service delivery, hence the need to reform the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply Management, to modernise the profession in line with global standards.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, Unyime Idem, in his remarks said the bill is priority bill because of the important role it has played in shaping professionals in the field of purchasing and supply chain management in Nigeria and the development of high standard professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in procurement practice.