…EFCC, jail term await violators
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have, jointly, warned the 36 Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEBs), alongside their procurement officers against violating or tinkering with the Public Procurement Act/Processes in their financial dealings.
Representatives of the Agencies gave the warning at a sensitization workshop for Executive Chairmen and Principal Officers of the SUBEBs on the general overview of the public procurement Act, 2007.
The Agencies suggested that instead of tinkering or violating the procurement processes due to ignorance or deliberately, they should ask questions or seek more guidance to avoid punishment that might accompany their actions, which might include jail terms.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, in his speech, said the workshop was a significant step towards familiarizing participants with the rudiments of procurements and contemporary practices, thereby, enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the procurement processes within the basic education system.
He said: “Procurement is the backbone of any organization, and in the realm of education, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to deliver quality education. The decisions we make in procurement directly impact the learning environment of our learners.
“The 2007 Procurement Act is a cornerstone of public procurement in Nigeria. It provides a comprehensive framework for conducting public procurement processes, ensuring fairness, equity, and value for money in all public transactions. By adhering to the principles and provisions of the Act, we can significantly improve the quality of education delivery and optimize the utilization of public funds.”
The UBEC boss further highlighted that the workshop was designed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the complexities of the 2007 Procurement Act, which includes understanding ethical procurement, strategies to optimize value for money, legal and regulatory framework, developing effective procurement planning and strategy, supplier selection and contract management, risk management, amongst several others.
BPP representative, Abiodun Otunla, told journalists that the essence of the workshop was to highlight some key areas that the SUBEBs Chairmen and their principal officers
should know, and how they should navigate through the Act to avoid violations that could attract severe sanctions.
“Basis of the procurement Act is to promote transparency and competitiveness in the procurement processes, and ensure that transactions and contracts are done with utmost respect and opportunity to all persons.
“It’s our duty to educate the SUBEB officials on the operations of the Act and give clarity on unclear issues. It’s left for the SUBEBs to ensure they comply with the processes to avoid sanctions.”
Dean of SUBEB Chairmen, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, commended the UBEC and BPP for organising the workshop on the nitty-gritty of the procurement Act and processes, which has exposed the SUBEB Chairmen to the dos and don’ts as regards issues of procurement.
He was optimistic that the training would not only empower the participants as individuals but would also have a positive impact on the entire education sector.