Ex-lawmakers want enforcement of Procurement Act

As the controversy on the padding of the 2016 budget rages, members of the Faculty of Board Initiatives (FBI) yesterday canvassed the enforcement of the Public Procurement Act (PPA).

The group comprising former and serving members of the National Assembly faulted the widely held notion that the budget could be padded during the budgeting process.

Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Eseme Eyibo, who addressed reporters at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja maintained that the enforcement of the Public Procurement Act would ensure accountability and transparency in the budget implementation process.

Acknowledging that abuses in the making of the budget, which involves operatives of the executive and legislature cannot be ruled out, he argued that there was no way the budget could be padded since the power of appropriation is vested in the National Assembly as prescribed by the 1999 constitution as amended.

He said: “It is trite knowledge that the primary role of the legislature includes appropriation, oversight and law-making. It is unfortunate that what the legislature is suffering today is because of poor public perception of the role of the legislature.

“I admit there are fundamental cases of indiscretion here and there. How can it be taken care of? That is the essence of the Public Procurement Act.”

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom chapter of Nigerians In the Diaspora Monitoring Group has accused the former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin of embarrassing the nation with his comments and actions.