Group threatens protest against procurement act amendment without stakeholders’ input

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a procurement advocacy group, says the proposed amendment of the public procurement act 2007 must include “proper public engagement and stakeholders’ input”.

On November 23, the federal government inaugurated a committee to review the public procurement act 2007.

In a statement on Tuesday, Akingunola Omoniyi, head of the office at NAFGAD,  expressed concerns about “reliable information” suggesting a push for “suffocating and self-serving” amendments to the act. 

Omoniyi alleged that interested parties have already drafted manuscripts to be handed out to the public procurement act amendment committee and the national assembly with no regard to citizens’ and stakeholders’ input.

While acknowledging the need for an update to the Act, he said the process must adhere to the principles outlined in the constitution.

Omoniyi said there must be open calls for memoranda, public hearings, and genuine engagement with citizens and stakeholders for such amendments. 

“Public procurement is the life wire of government and the main channel through which governments serve the people, it constitutes over 90 percent of entire government spendings, hence any legal framework around its operations must seek the input of people it intends to serve,” the statement reads. 

“The people must have a say in the way and manner they want to be served and catered for.”

Omoniyi warned that the group would mobilise citizens and stakeholders to protest any amendment that falls short of constitutional provisions and necessary legislative guidelines.