Tinubu issues directive to ministers
President Bola Tinubu has directed all ministers to send in detailed records of projects handled by agencies and parastatals under their supervision to the Bureau of Public Procurement for review and submission to him.
The directive was given during Wednesday’s council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
It followed a presentation by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adebowale Adedokun, on the status of procurement activities across ministries and agencies.
According to the council’s decision, procurement processes for projects under the 2024 budget must be concluded by September 2025 to prevent unnecessary liabilities.
The government noted that several agencies were still handling contracts tied to the 2024 Appropriation, even though the extension of the law has lasted more than 20 months.
FEC also ordered that ministries and departments must align with the Nigeria First Policy by prioritizing locally made goods and services in their procurement.
However, such items must meet international standards and be certified by relevant authorities.
The council further directed that projects financed with bilateral loans must involve the Bureau of Public Procurement in negotiations to ensure transparency and value for money.
It warned that government-owned companies that fail to comply with the Public Procurement Act risk being flagged for financial recklessness.
In addition, ministers were asked to ensure that projects in the 2025 budget are largely processed through open competitive bidding, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at job creation and poverty reduction.
Reports of compliance are to be sent to the Bureau of Public Procurement for onward transmission to the President.
