The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has highlighted the urgent need to revise the laws establishing the Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP) to curb corruption associated with contract awards.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede made this statement at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, during a meeting with the BPP management team led by Director General Mamman Ahmadu.
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Olukoyede pointed out that the current legal framework has not effectively supported the prosecution or conviction of corrupt individuals involved in public procurement.
He emphasized that significant changes are required to prevent corruption before contracts are awarded and funds misappropriated.
“Over the years, the BPP has defined scopes that guide our contract and procurement processes, but there is still much more to be done,”
“The law has not been fully operationalized and has not aided prosecution significantly. I cannot recall any case where we secured a conviction using the BPP Act. To truly sanitize our contract and procurement processes, we must review the BPP Act.”
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He further criticized the BPP’s issuance of “Certificates of No Objection,” expressing concerns about the procedure’s susceptibility to corruption.
Olukoyede noted that the majority of corruption cases in the public sector are related to contracts and procurement.
“The issue of ‘Certificate of No Objection’ is concerning. We urge the BPP to review its processes and procedures for issuing these certificates,” he said.
“Having worked in regulatory compliance and enforcement, I have observed that corruption is most prevalent in contract and procurement activities.
The problem lies not with Nigerians but with the weak systems that people exploit. Strengthening our institutions is crucial.”
Olukoyede called for collaborative efforts between the EFCC and BPP to enhance the integrity of the procurement process, stressing the importance of preventative measures to stop corruption before it begins.
