The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat corruption in the procurement sector.
Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations, BPP, disclosed that the MoU was signed by Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of BPP, and the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the national secretariat of the NBA in Abuja.
He quoted Adedokun as saying that the collaboration between the duo to combat corruption in procurement signified a renewed hope and a better future for Nigeria.
He added that the signing of the MoU represented a significant phase in the series of engagements that had been ongoing over the years to bolster ethical standards in the procurement profession.
The director-general commended Osigwe for being the first NBA President, on record, to take particular interest in procurement.
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He said: “We are happy that we have accomplished this partnership. The partnership will build trust among the Nigerian people.
“With the signing of this MoU, NBA and BPP will be well fortified to work for the Nigerian people.
“The MoU also shows how well BPP places the NBA in the scheme of things.
“Therefore, if the NBA is not playing a critical role, it means we are not ready for business because procurement is about the law.”
Adedokun expressed confidence that, with the NBA now supporting procurement reforms, contract agreements with the Nigerian people would be safeguarded moving forward.
“I want to assure the NBA president that henceforth, capacity building, taking actions, and imposing sanctions will be our priorities.
“While we are not averse to lawyers making money, we want them, more importantly, to save the country,” he stated.
Osigwe, in his remarks, recalled the recent visit of the NBA’s leadership to the BPP office, where an agreement was reached in principle for the training of lawyers as procurement professionals.
He said the meeting reiterated that the BPP was to ensure transparent procurement and prevent corruption in the processes.
Osigwe decried, “Until we look at our procurement processes to ensure transparency and accountability, a significant portion of public funds used in public procurement will end up in private pockets.” (NAN)
