The chairman of a Senate subcommittee declared that procurement fraud in MDAs will not be tolerated.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, has stated that the 10th Senate, in collaboration with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, will enforce zero tolerance for procurement fraud in government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

He stated that his committee was putting measures in place to ensure that all MDAs were aligned with a new administration’s paradigm shift, in which ordinary Nigerians could compete and win contracts, unlike in the past.

The Senator, who also represents the Edo Central senatorial district, spoke to journalists yesterday at the reception for the recently sworn-in Niger Delta Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh, in Abuja.

“Many wrongs will be righted,” he remarked. We aim to ensure that only competent individuals receive the contract employment for which they applied.”

The federal legislator added that it was no longer acceptable for MDAs to call for bids and line up people for a rigorous Pre-qualification procedure just to have the contract awarded to individuals or firms that did not engage in the process.

“Due process must be followed,” Momoh stated. We want the country to enter a new era of procurement systems that are compliant with international standards. The Tenth Assembly is resolved to have the necessary impact.”

“I can assure you that this Senate is sincere about the new deal we are bringing forward in accordance with the renewed hope of Mr. President and the uncommon Senate President.”

Speaking about his readiness to take on the task ahead, Okpebholo stated that as a student of Business Administration and an expert in Information Communication Technology (ICT) with knowledge of the Nigerian business environment, Nigerians can be confident that his committee will deliver.

The committee chairman went on to say that his group was fortunate to have highly experienced Nigerians who have created a name for themselves in politics and industry as members.

“I can assure you that my committee will investigate activities in the procurement system since 2019 and ensure we right the wrongs to restore public trust in the procurement system,” he added.

“We want a system in which you don’t have to know anyone to bid on or win contract jobs in this country.” That is the mandate we have, and we intend to follow it to the letter.”