By; Samson Yaki, Kaduna.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed into law a Bill on the Establishment of Public Procurement Authority.
The law which will regulate and bring out a fair and transparency in the bidding process and contract awards, will work towards allowing a fair and simple deal between contractors and the Government of the State.
The Law will serve as a regulating authority which will be responsible for monitoring, oversight and harmonising existing policies and setting standards for public procurement in the State.
It shall also train personnel and build state-wide institutional capacities for a professional, sustainable and efficient public procurement system.
There shall be fair pricing standards and benchmark thereby ensuring the application of fair and transparent value for money standards and practices for the procurement and disposal of public funds.
Creation of equal opportunities that are in line with legal requirements in the policies and practices of supply and sub contracting for the citizenry will be made particularly small and medium scale enterprises to partake in the economic opportunities and benefits of public procurement.
The law also Provides for increased efficiency and economy in public procurement activities and maximise to the fullest, the purchasing power of the State to achieve value for money.
There shall be a governing board for the Authority which will comprise of a Chairman, Director General of the Authority, a representative not below the rank of a Director from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Budget and Panning.
The board shall among others, perform the following functions; Consider, review and approve the monetary thresholds for the application of the provision of this Law by procuring entities.
Approve any procurement guidelines or regulations to be made pursuant to the Law.
Approve the Employment of Directors and other Staff of the Authority, and also receive and consider for approval of the audited accounts of the Authority.
The Authority shall monitor the prices of tendered items and keep a database of standard prices thereby publishing the details of procurement contracts in the State procurement journal.
It shall collate and maintain in an archival system all State procurement plans and information.
With the passage of this bill into law, bidding processes will take a new turn as transparency will be the order of the day with due process taking centre stage.
“The elite should channel some of their endowments to the education of children, particularly the less privileged/vulnerable children,” she said, describing children as the leaders of tomorrow, who need to be nurtured with the best values of honour, integrity and service inculcated into them.
“We must bring up our children in the fear and knowledge of God,” she said, adding that when children are brought up in love, then the future and development of our various families, communities and country is assured.
