Senate to deal with govt agencies violating procurement laws, says Saraki

From MAGNUS EZE, Abuja

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has threatened that the Senate will take up the case against any ministry, department or agency of government which is violating the Public Procurement law which   compels them to give preference to locally produced goods in Nigeria.
He also charged Senate Committee Chairmen to ensure that in the course of their oversight duties that MDAs comply with the provision of the law on patronage of local manufacturers   as he also urged all military and para-military agencies to emulate the Army by procuring items like boots and other needs locally.
Saraki made the threat last Thursday in Abuja  when members of the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEAPMAAS) visited him to express appreciation for the constant support he and the Senate have given to the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.
While responding to the welcome address by the  co-ordinator of the Association, Chief Ben Hart, Saraki said the government spends more than N2 Trillion annually in the purchase of goods, and that the  aim of the Senate is to  ensure that a large chunk of the funds go into the pocket of Nigerian manufacturers. He advised local manufacturers to petition the Senate where they feel a government agency is deliberating denying them the opportunity to sell their goods as he said the law making institution was ready to take up such cases.
The Senate committee chairmen here are to ensure that all the other agencies whether it is the Air Force, Navy, Customs,  even the Road Safety, Civil Defence, NYSC must follow suit. We should include that as part of the conditions when they come to defend their 2017 budget.  They must show evidence that they patronise and purchase locally made goods’’, he declared.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Chief Ben Hart said they were at the NationalAssembly to commend the Senate President, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and other Senators for their support in promoting the Made in  Nigeria and Made In Aba goods.