Mr Mohammed Aliyu, the Registrar of Chattered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement.
Aliyu made call in Abuja on Friday during the Batch B 2016 mandatory proficiency development programme for certified members of CIPSMN.
The four-day programme has the theme, “Procurement Excellence: A tool for change across all sectors of the Nigerian economy’’.
He said that all over the world, procurement was very important and questioned why the Nigerian procurement law which was enacted in 2007 was not fully operational.
Aliyu said if the arms deal, currently under investigation, was handled by professionals, it would have followed due process and not end up being diverted.
Mr Abdul Mamman, the North Central Coordinator of the institute, said that procurement professionals should be allowed to play their role in the procurement process.
Hr said that was the only way to ensure that Nigerians got value for money.
“When you do not allow professionals play their role you will have problems.
“When government gives people the authority to function in their specialisation, the little money we have in government we can then utilise for items of value with high services to be delivered,’’ Mamman said.
He said that procurement received the highest budgetary allocation in any country and to be saddled with the responsibility of procurement one must have vision, courtesy, willingness and understanding of procurement processes.
“Procurement drives budget implementation and it gives you the astute and responsible opportunity for you to push what you are supposed to push,’’ Mamman said.
He said that the programme for members of the institute was aimed at discussing latest developments in procurement processes and brings specialists up to date on those developments.
“We are here to discuss latest developments in the way and manner of procurement because it is an evolving field and we need professionals to be prepared for the challenges ahead,’’ he said.
Mrs Akoh-Ali Victoria, one of the participants, said through the programme she had learnt that the needs of the people must be considered before any project could be embarked upon.
She said this would help ascertain what project should be embarked upon at any given time.
“If we can get our procurement right we will be able to have the needed development in the country and failed projects will be minimised.
“From the beginning you will ascertain your need and that will determine what you will do and the budget that goes with it, that way the common man will be affected positively,’’ she said.
Mr Lawal Olanrewaju from Lagos State Law Reform Commission said the programme had made him to know his core responsibility as a procurement officer in Nigeria.
He also said that if due process was followed, it would ensure that Nigerians got value for money.
The programme which began on Wednesday is expected to end on Saturday. (NAN)