Rep. Idem Assures EFCC Of National Assembly's Resolve To Review Procurement Act To Strengthen Its Investigation

The Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rep. Unyime Idem, has assured the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that the National Assembly will expeditiously review the 2007 Public Procurement Act. 

The review is to strengthen EFCC's investigation of Public Procurement matters. 

Rep. Idem, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, made the promise, when the chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. 

The Federal Lawmaker noted that the Act provides the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, fair and efficient public procurement and public asset disposal, and should therefore "give your commission the needed backing to fight corruption and other sharp practices procurement contract process."

Speaking earlier, the EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the visit was to appeal to the National Assembly, through the committee, to review the Public Procurement Act 2007, to strengthen the commission its fight against sharp practices in the process of procurement contract and execution."

According to Olukoyede, "the Public Procurement Act 2007, as it is currently, does not give us the latitude to investigate and prosecute matters relating to Public Procurement as we should. There are limits to what we can do. It is therefore imperative that the National Assembly should please expedite review of the current Act to help us work effectively."

The Public Procurement Act provides the legal and institutional framework for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, value for money and efficiency in the procurement of works, goods and services within the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.