Public Procurement Corruption: BPP Collaborates with EFCC

The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have entered into an agreement to prevent corruption, improve common services and better the lives of Nigerians.

The development is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday by DPP's head of Information & PR/Media, Janet McDickson.

According to the statement, the request for collaboration was made by the Director-General, DPP, Mamman Ahmadu, when he paid working visit to EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in his office.

The collaboration is expected to cover investigation in contract awards, particularly as the two organisations are involved in practically the same work but with different references.

DG Ahmadu, who spoke of his organization's 3 Cs working mantra, Commitment, Collaboration and Coordination, which he described as vital to any successful management, noted the need for collaboration informed his visit to the EFCC.

“We should be seen to be working hand in hand”

The DPP, according to him, is poised to releasing any procurement information at its disposal that could aid the EFCC in its investigative work, adding that DPP officers are very committed in handling all procurement processes and will continue to work hard to save cost in the interest of Nigerians.

He prayed that Nigeria get it right, with everyone strives to add value to governance and improve the quality of lives of all, which he said, is the policy thrust of the present administration.

In his response, EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reiterated the fact that nobody could win the battle alone, a reason why all hands must be on deck for the fight against corruption to make more impact.

He drew the attention of some lapses in the Public Procurement Act that need to be amended.

According to him, “...as a public officer, remember that one day you may be called upon to give account on certain issues” hence the need for all government employees to be more prudent and accountable in their dealings.

Chairman counselled that Public Procurement Act should be amended particularly in the area of prosecution of procurement related offences, pointing out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must be supported to ensure that Nigerians are better for it