NPA Advocates Effective Implementation of PPA 2007
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman
Eromosele Abiodun
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has called for the effective implementation of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, to achieve the purpose for which it was enacted.
She stated this when members of the Nigeria Institution of Procurement Engineers (NIProcE)– Lagos Chapter, paid her a courtesy visit in Lagos.
She said management of the NPA was in support of the formation of the institution, insisting that the establishment of the institution would enhance the understanding and effective implementation of the Nigerian Public Procurement Act 2007.
While commending the initiators of the Institution, the NPA managing director, however enjoined them to propagate the provisions of Procurement Act extensively so that the public sector would be guided accordingly.
Speaking through the General Manager, Engineering, Rufai Mohammed who received members of the institution, the NPA boss expressed appreciation on the institution’s offer to partner with the NPA to ensure the successful implementation of the Act, through capacity building, and appropriate interaction with procurement entities.
Bala-Usman, while commending the activities of the institution since its inauguration in May 2017, particularly expressed about the advice offered by the institution on ways at avoiding offenses captured in section 58(4) of the Act as well as the responsibilities of the Managing Director in the Act as stipulated in section 16, sub-section 20 and 21 and section 20.
Earlier, the chairman of the institution, Engr. (Sir) Samuel Echedom, told the NPA boss that the Nigeria Institution of Procurement Engineers (NIProcE) has now become a hub and focal division of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and in pursuit of its objective, have exhibited vibrancy and commitment through organizing trainings, workshops and seminars.
He said the objective of the institution include articulating and formulating more effective and efficient procurement process, assisting government set goal of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), establishing partnership and collaborations with the Federal Government Procurement Regulators, Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as ensuring that Nigerian contractors, suppliers, consultants and other service providers are given first consideration in all matters relating to public procurement by ensuring that the Act are compiled with by all concerned.
“As a watchdog, we want to ensure that fairness, equity, competition, transparency, openness, efficiency and value for money is achieved in the Procurement process. We will ensure that salient issues in the Act such as the Procurement Planning Committee and Evaluation Committee are set up in line with the provisions of the Act, ”Echedom added.
He announced plans by the Institution to host the Institution 2018 Procurement Summit billed to take place on November 3rd, 2018 under the theme “The Role of Public Procurement in the Implementation of an Effective Transport System in Nigeria,” in Lagos.
Members of the newly reconstituted NPA Pilotage Districts Boards had last week recommended the urgent review of relevant sections onpilotage in the Ports Act of 1999, to reflect the present dynamics of the industry.
The members in a communique signed by 21 participants at a workshop also resolved that the “NPA Marine Pilots Training Manual” be reviewed to ensure the proper and effective capacity for the Authority’s trainee pilots.
