Reps rule out cancellation of N’Assembly Open Week despite budget dispute

The House of Representatives has dismissed calls for the cancellation of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, insisting that the yearly legislative engagement will go ahead as scheduled despite the recent disagreement among lawmakers over budget implementation.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has warned that individuals involved in procurement fraud will face sanctions and prosecution, as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) reopens the Permanent Secretaries’ Retreat after a four-year break.

Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, said the budget-related controversy that played out during last Wednesday’s plenary would not affect the House’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and public engagement through the Open Week.

Agbese was reacting to suggestions that the event should be shelved following the rowdy session that erupted over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to appear before the House to explain issues surrounding the implementation of the national budget, particularly constituency projects.

He dismissed the calls as unnecessary, stressing that members of the House remain committed to both their constitutional responsibilities and the yearly programme.

According to him, lawmakers will participate fully in the National Assembly Open Week, describing it as a flagship initiative of the 10th House under the leadership of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

“Though things are critical, members will never abdicate their primary responsibility of lawmaking for any other thing or whatever grouse they may have,” Agbese said. “The Open Week has come to stay. It has helped to showcase our activities to major stakeholders across the globe, including cooperation with other parliamentary institutions and development partners.”

On the budget controversy, Agbese maintained that the House “does not require the President’s appearance” to resolve concerns over budget implementation, noting that heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation were the officials directly responsible for implementing appropriated funds.

He urged Nigerians not to politicise the House’s oversight responsibilities, assuring that lawmakers remain focused on ensuring accountability in the management of public resources while sustaining initiatives that deepen legislative openness and public trust.

The National Assembly Open Week is billed to commence on July 14, with members of the House expected to join stakeholders from across the country and the international parliamentary community in activities aimed at strengthening transparency, citizen engagement and democratic governance.

THE permanent secretaries’ retreat, with the theme, ‘Strengthening Procurement Leadership and Accountability for Effective Budget Execution and National Development’, began on Thursday, July 9, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, and ended yesterday.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, described public procurement as a critical instrument of governance and the link between budget approval and service delivery.

Adedokun, in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations at BPP, Zira Nagga, said the Bureau initiated 23 reform programmes to modernise Nigeria’s procurement system.

The reforms include the proposed amendment of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, development of a National Procurement Strategy Framework, revised procurement thresholds, contractor classification, community-based procurement and the full implementation of Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP).

He disclosed that the bureau helped the Federal Government save about N1.1 trillion in 2025 through improved price intelligence and budget evaluation, with weekly savings averaging N8 billion since January 2026.

“Roads are constructed through procurement. Hospitals are equipped through procurement. Schools are built through procurement. Therefore, the quality of procurement determines the quality of governance,” he said.

The BPP boss stressed that permanent secretaries, as accounting officers,must ensure compliance with procurement laws.

He said the bureau introduced administrative sanctions for errant procurement officers and a Debarment Policy to blacklist contractors who violate due process.

Adedokun urged MDAs to comply with budget implementation guidelines and publish contract awards on their websites and the BPP portal.

Nigeria’s procurement reforms, he added, had attracted international recognition, citing the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) project which established specialised undergraduate degree programmes in Sustainable Procurement in six Nigerian universities.