FG Unveils Guidelines For Procurement In Education Sector

In a bid to promote efficiency, transparency and accountability in procurement processes in the nation’s education sector, the Federal Ministry of Education has unveiled guidelines across public institutions of learning nationwide.

Speaking during a Stakeholders’ Forum with the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa urged participants to ensure full compliance with the guidelines towards building maximum capacity in the procurement processes and promoting ease of doing business.

Dr Alausa, therefore, directed all heads of Tertiary Institutions to establish full-fledged procurement departments to liaise with the BPP for a seamless process.

“Some of you award contracts before coming to pro chancellor.. It is illegal”.

In a remark, the Director General of BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun stressed the need for strict adherence to procurement guidelines in Government’s businesses.

“Procurement connects citizens with the government to deliver value and satisfaction. Any naira spent without students’ benefit is misprocurement,” he stated.

According to the Director General, series of new policy directives, including the mandatory use of the Nigerian Government Network (NGN) for internet services by universities., prohibition of unapproved spending of internally generated revenues and the requirement that all procurement plans, including donations and consultancy projects, be submitted to BPP for approval.

He further said that vice-chancellors and other accounting officers would henceforth be personally liable for breaches of the Public Procurement Act.

”You cannot hide under any director. If a project fails, it is your responsibility,” he warned.

Dr Adedokun said BPP would continue to put in place policies that would strengthen procurement guidelines among Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

Nkiruka Okeke, Edited By Grace Namiji