News

Reps Commences Process To Amend CIPSMN Act 2007

Published

6 months ago

July 16, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has started the process of amendment of “A Bill For an Act To Amend The Chartered Institute of Purchasing And Supply Management of Nigeria Act, 2007 To be In Tandem With What Obtains In Procurement Professional Practice Across The Globe And For Related Matters ( HR. 346/2924)”.

Declaring the session open, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, said the public hearing reinforces the dedication of the House to an open, participatory and consultative parliament as enumerated significantly in the Legislative Agenda and demonstrated in the recent open NASS Week organized to interface with the masses of our country.

The Speaker who was represented by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbare, said that public hearing is a key legislative process put in place by the parliament to provide relevant stakeholders and other members of the public a robust window to be part of the parliamentary practice. In so doing, your views, feelings and aspirations are captured in the legislative framework to guarantee better legal outputs.

He 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 modernize the profession in line with global standard practice to stimulate enhanced proficiency on the part of the practitioners and to foster greater positive results in public and private governance”.

Giving his submission the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) asked the House not to pass the bill seeking to amend the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, as the amendment being sought will largely bring the institute in conflict with the mandate of the Bureau.

Representative of the Director General of BPP, who is the Director of Civil Infrastructure, Nasir Bello said allowing the amendment being sought by the bill will bring the institute in conflict with the mandate of the Bureau.

Bello 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 procures 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.

In addition, he said amending section 12 as contained in the amendment 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.

He said: “It should not be allowed to delve into function 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.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, should the House be inclined towards allowing the proposed amendment (without the Bureau necessarily conceding). The Bureau wishes to draw attention to the provision of Section 5(s) of the PPA which vests in the Bureau as the Regulator of Public Procurement in Nigeria, the mandate to co-ordinate relevant training programs to build institutional capacity”.

The Director further stated that the provision of the intended training by the Institute, especially in the area of Public Procurement, must be co-ordinated by the Bureau, as the regulatory Agency for Public procurement in Nigeria.

According to him, the PPA, 2007 allows the National Council on Public Procurement and the Bureau of Public Procurement as the Regulatory Authorities responsible for the monitoring and oversight of Public Procurement, harmonizing the existing Government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards and developing the Legal framework and professional capacity for Public Procurement in Nigeria; and other related matters.

Bello explained that the Act is to remove all impediments that had hitherto prevented effective and efficient management of public procurement in Nigeria including the private sector, adding that some of the major impediments included lack of competition and transparency, non-publication of contract opportunities, non-prior disclosure of rules to be used in the selection process, lack of standard bidding documents and setting practice guidelines for procurement practitioners, allow free entry and exist and align with global best practices in line with the UNCITRAL Model Law through multi- stakeholder engagement.

He added that the world has moved onto specialization and sector-based professionalization of public procurement. We now have within the same country or across different continents provisions for specialized services and their co-existence.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, Rep. Unyime Idem 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.

He said the House committee was committed on Public Procurement to upholding the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, value for money and efficiency in the procurement of works, goods and services within Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Parastatals as stipulated in the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

He said Strict adherence and due process compliance with the PPA, 2007 is mandatory for all MDAs, to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the efficient and ethical utilization of public resources.

Ends

News

Benue state govt offers free beer to residents for New Year’s eve celebrations

Published

4 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

As part of the ongoing Benue Carnival festivities, the Benue State Government has announced the distribution of free Zeva Draft Beer to residents in celebration of New Year’s Eve.

The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Iormem Alia approved the gesture. The event will kick off at 5 PM on December 31, 2024, at IBB Square, Makurdi.

Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), revealed this in a statement on Tuesday. He described the initiative as an opportunity for citizens to come together and celebrate Benue’s rich heritage and unity.

“This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the flavours of Benue while engaging with family and friends. You are to drink responsibly,” the statement read.

The carnival, which had been dormant since the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, has been revived by the current government to promote cultural pride and engage the youth positively.

The festivities have already featured colourful displays, with socio-cultural groups parading through Makurdi in vibrant costumes on Monday

News

Minority Caucus Congratulates Nigerians on New Year, Calls for Urgent National Reforms

Published

5 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

As Nigerians join the global community in celebrating the New Year 2025, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has extended heartfelt congratulations to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, for witnessing the dawn of the year in peace and tranquility.

In a statement jointly signed by House Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Rep. Dr. Ali Isa J.C, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rep. George Ozodinobi, the caucus reflected on the challenges of 2024, describing the year as “palpable, worrisome, and fearful,” and highlighted its impact on citizens’ personal growth.

The statement reads: “Today, being the first day of Year 2025, whilst, like other parts of the world, we are full of excitement, it gives us another opportunity to have sincere reflections and objective introspection about the journey of our dear country thus far. Fact is, Nigeria’s progress has been marked by significant challenges that hinder our individual growth and collective prosperity.

“True, the situation of our country, particularly in 2024, was palpable, worrisome, and fearful that it stifled the personal development of many citizens. From spiraling inflation to corrosive poverty and debilitating hunger, it was pathetic for citizens. How about accentuating unemployment, alarming insecurity, and other disturbing multi-sectoral indices of under-development?

“As the country enters 2025, it is necessary to reiterate that just as Nigeria has issues of governance and lack of inclusive economic growth, there is an urgent and timely need to ingeniously address challenges of infrastructure deficits, mindless corruption, youth unemployment, and widespread insecurity.”

The caucus urged all Nigerians to leverage the nation’s diversity as a strength and work collectively towards fostering peace, unity, and development.

“No doubt, Nigeria is a blessed nation with enormous potentials, and our diversity remains one of our greatest assets. In 2025, we admonish us all to harness the strengths embedded in our differences to build a nation that works for all citizens. Since no tribe, ethnicity, and group, no matter how powerful, can do it alone, we solicit for the collaboration and synergy of all and sundry. Through these, and other imperatives including believability, inclusivity, and mutual trust, Nigeria can overcome every difficulty and achieve sustainable and enduring achievements.

“As we collectively forge ahead as a nation in 2025, we encourage us all to recommit and reconnect to the values of peace, unity, and development, with the realization that the future of Nigeria rests on our ability to stay united and work together towards the fulfillment of common goals, desires, and aspirations.”

The caucus reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of Nigerians, pledging to remain steadfast in addressing national issues through legislative action.

“As a responsive and responsible Caucus, we assure Nigerians that, further to our commitment to the general well-being of citizens, we will in 2025, and subsequent years in the lifespan of the 10th House of Representatives, remain resolute and focused in every national issue that requires legislative inquisition and actions.”

News

Just in: Tanker fire guts popular Lagos police station

Published

10 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Naijablitznews

Tanker fire has razed a section of Okokomaiko Police Station, Lagos State Police Command.

The tanker reportedly caught fire while discharging diesel into the storage tank of a hotel that shares same fence with the police facility, reports Daily Trust.

The incident created a stampede as both the staff of the hotel and policemen attached to the station fled from their offices for fear of being trapped in the fire.

It was learnt that the fire started from the engine of the truck and quickly spread to the storage tank of the vehicle.

Witnesses alleged that the fire spread to the police station before any help could come.

One witness identified simply as Tolupe stated that the truck driver abandoned the vehicle when the fire escalated and fled.