ACCI Tasks Organizations On Business Integrity

By Mathew Ayoola

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, has advised public and private organizations to always imbibe business integrity and adhere to ethics in their procurement processes towards combating corruption in the country.

The Chairman, Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology, BEST Centre of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba gave the advise in Abuja during the ACCI/ICPC Formal Launch Of The Procurement Integrity And Transparency Training/Partnership Initiative.

Prof. Adesugba who is also the 1st Deputy President of ACCI said business has its role to play in the fight against corruption most especially in the public sector hence the need to strengthen the values that could make all stakeholders resilient against corruption.

While describing procurement as the life wire of any organization, Prof. Adesugba explained that the training was in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC and the Centre for International Private Enterprise.

In a remark, the Director General of ACCI, Dr Victoria Akai said the training was mainly to sensitize the public and private sectors on the importance of ethical procurement practices.

Dr. Akai stated that it would go a long way to encourage issues around open governance, standard procurement practices and strengthen Institutions on best procurement processes.

“At the end of the training, we intend to achieve compliance with procurement practices that has been established in the public sector and for the private sector also to comply with ethics, accountability for us to run stronger Institutions in Nigeria”, she explained.

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Also speaking, the Head of Procurement in ICPC, Mr Shintema Binga said the Commission had identified lack of integrity in procurement processes hence the need to collaborate with relevant organizations in sensitizing both the public and private organizations on the need to abide by regulations guiding the practice.

Mr Binga therefore advised stakeholders to always follow due process in dealing with contractors, vendors or bidders to guard against lapses in procurement practices.

On her part, the Country Director, Centre for International Private Enterprise, Lola Adekanye said apart from the FCT, the programme would also be launch in States towards ensuring best procurement practices in the country.

She advised participants at the training to always practice what they have learnt towards ensuring best practices in procurement processes.

Edited By Grace Namiji