By Justina Auta
The Chief Whip in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Monguno has called on public procurement practitioners to uphold the ethics and values of the profession to curb corruption in procurement process.
Monguno made the call on Tuesday at the maiden inauguration of the executives and induction of members of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) in Abuja.
According to him, the association plays a vital role in checkmating irregularities and unprofessionalism in the procurement process which is often the avenue for most corrupt practices in the governance.
“Most of the corrupt activities are done in the procurement process.
“Once the procurement process is strictly adhered to in line with the Public Procurement Act, issues of corruption will be greatly reduced,” he said.
He further urged the association to manifest the implementation of the Public Procurement Act.
He assured them that the National Assembly would partner with the association to address gaps in the law to address unprofessionalism in procurement process.
Also, the Director of Procurement, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Rukayat Adjoke, commended the Association for establishing a structure that would monitor and encourage integrity, professionalism and transparency in public procurement processes.
“Mr President sits there and everybody has a level at which to work. Our level is a critical sub set factor of what happens to the economy today, tomorrow and always,” she said.
On her part, the Director-General of the National Center for Women Development (NCWD), Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir, said the association would aide in stabilising procurement practices and promote ethical standards among public procurement practitioners.
Vilita-Bashir said the stabilising procurement practice was fundamental to sustainable development.
On his part, Mr Emem Kanico, National President, APPON, expressed worry over the rate at which non- procurement officers undertake duties of public procurement which had contributed to corrupt practices in procurement process in the country.
“APPON seeks to promotes, stimulate and sustain national development through best practices.
“Our aim is also to project and protect the practice of public procurement in Nigeria especially in the public sector and to provide world class programmes and trainings for practitioners,” he said.
The event with the theme: “Challenges of Non-Procurement Professionals in Public Procurement process and its effects on National Economic Growth and Sustainability”
Also featured, were the award of fellowship, Honorary Fellowship and Associate Members to outstanding members, patrons and Friends of the Association.
NAN