The Independent
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says 60 per cent
of corruption cases in Nigeria are procurement oriented.
Dr Anthony Onyilimba,
the Deputy Commissioner, Procurement, ICPC, disclosed this at the 7th Annual
Conference and Award Night of the Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management
of Nigeria (CIPSMN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The conference had
the theme “Efficient Procurement Practice and Sustainability in an Economy
under Recession’’.
He said that procurement was one of the indices used by the
Transparency International in assessing countries, saying it is the basis for
establishment of anticorruption agencies by the government in the country.
According to him, it is well known that corruption is endemic in Nigeria and
the negative effects of this insidious scourge are apparent in all sphere of
our national life.
He stressed that
epileptic power supply, high rate of youth unemployment, poor state of our
roads as well as general degradation of public utilities and services were all
effects of corruption. Onyilimba charged the institute to be in the forefront
in consolidating a corrupt-free state of dignified people, who should uphold
the principles of honesty and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
“CIPSMN in its bid to lead the war against corruption in the area of
procurement should ensure that its members adhere to the law and regulations
guiding procurement practice.
“Non-conforming members should be punished in line
with the professional code of ethics, as that would serve as a deterrent to
others and those that are not ready to change must be shown the way out.
“Sound
procurement policies and practices are among the essential elements of good
governance, mainly as it affects the public sector.
“Good practices reduce cost
and produce timely results by ensuring the efficient and effective utilsation
of resources and value for money, while poor practices lead to waste and
delay,’’ he said.
The deputy commissioner said the commission had set up
Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in all MDAs to ensure that every
segment of the public sector was brought under the watchful eye of ICPC.
He
said the main function of ACTUs was for them to act as watch dogs in their
various organisations, since they were closer and therefore know what happens
within.
Vanguard
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