Why we need to amend procurement law – Saraki

Poised to realising the objectives of the 2016 Budget, Senate President Bukola Saraki has said that the Senate will immediately commence the amendment of the Procurement Act, after the completion of the ongoing process of passage of the Appropriation Bill,

Saraki while addressing the organisers of the Made in Aba Trade Fair, who visited him in his office said certain sections of the Act need to be reviewed to ensure that the scarce resources which are available from the budget are well utilized.

He said the Act will be amended to ensure that Made in Nigeria goods are patronized and that government agencies only resort to imported goods when there are no local alternatives.

He also said areas of the law dealing with advance payment for government procurement should be scrutinized.

The Senate President said the 8th Senate under his leadership is in support of the protection of local industries through appropriate legislations, patronage and direct intervention.

He said: “This is the only way we can create jobs, solve the problem of unemployment and stop the growing army of aggrieved youths who pose danger to society. We can do it. We have the population which translates to a huge ready market. This is how we van genuinely help our people.

“The chairmen of our relevant committees are being put on notice to ensure that they focus their oversight on these areas. We must make sure that government agencies like the Armed Forces can patronize the shoe making industries in Aba and other places.”

Saraki, however, urged local industries to increase the quality of their products and make their prices competitive.

He also thanked Senator Enyinanya Abaribe who led the delegation to his office for his consistency in promoting goods made in Aba over the years.

“Senator Abaribe has done so much in promoting Made in Aba goods. In fact, it is his constituency project and he has invested so much time and money on it, even before the decline in oil price. This is import substitution and I assure you of the support of the Senate in this endeavour”, he said.

Abaribe in his speech said the promoters of Made in Aba goods will want Section 34 sub sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Procurement Act amended so that government agencies will be required to buy local goods and can only resort to imported goods after getting certification from the Bureau of Public Procurement stating that there is no local alternative.

He urged the Senate President to help Aba based manufacturers get the much needed government recognition and encouragement.

The group also invited Saraki to attend the trade fair holding in Abuja from Tuesday, February 9.