Table of Contents
- Call to Strengthen Bureau of Public Procurement
- Importance of Alignment in Procurement Processes
- Need for Competitive Bidding
- Financial Capacity of Contracting Companies
- Warranties and Durability in Projects
- ROLAC's Role in Promoting Good Governance
The Abia State government has been urged to enhance the independence of its Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ensure good governance, transparency, and public confidence.
This appeal was made by participants from the media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during a sensitization training held in Umuahia, organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program (ROLAC).
The participants emphasized that procurement processes should align with the public's needs and highlighted the necessity of publishing contracts to promote transparency.
They contended that contracts should only be awarded after being opened for competitive bidding and insisted that a 'Certificate of No Objection' must be presented prior to awarding any contracts.
Attendees of the workshop advised that contracts should not exceed a specified financial threshold and cautioned against awarding jobs to companies that lack the financial capacity to execute them in Abia.
Furthermore, they stressed that projects should include warranties and assurances of durability, urging all stakeholders to fulfill their advisory and supervisory responsibilities to foster good governance in Abia State.
In his address, the Project Coordinator of ROLAC in Abia State, Mr. Peter Omenka, stated that the program was organized to promote good governance in the state and to provide guidance where necessary, noting the support of the European Union and International IDEA for the workshop.
The lead consultant of ROLAC, Chukwuma Chinaka, remarked that the program aims to engage the Abia State government positively regarding transparency in procurement practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to strengthen the Bureau of Public Procurement?
Strengthening the Bureau ensures independence, promotes good governance, enhances transparency, and builds public trust in procurement processes.
What role do competitive bidding and transparency play in procurement?
Competitive bidding ensures fairness in awarding contracts, while transparency allows the public to monitor procurement processes, thus fostering trust and accountability.
What should be considered when awarding contracts in Abia State?
Contracts should be awarded based on competitive bidding, financial capacity, and should include warranties and assurances of durability to ensure successful project execution.
