The Senate Committee on Public Procurement has announced an immediate suspension of procurement activities for federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) that fail to honour its invitations or submit mandatory accountability reports.
The committee chairman, Senator Olajide Ipinshagba, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, stating that several government institutions had consistently failed to cooperate with the committee’s oversight functions.
According to Ipinshagba, the decision is being implemented in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to promote transparency and enforce adherence to procurement regulations.
He said, “It has come to our attention that several agencies and institutions have repeatedly and unapologetically flouted our invitations to appear before the committee. This lack of cooperation and blatant disregard for due process is unacceptable.”
He added, “We are committed to enforcing the Public Procurement Act and will not hesitate to impose penalties on individuals or agencies showing flagrant disregard for the law.”
The committee, he said, is working closely with the BPP to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Act and to promote transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in public expenditure.
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“Effective immediately, any ministry or agency that continues to flout our summons will face suspension of their procurement processes. We will also recommend disciplinary measures against individuals or entities who persist in this defiance,” he warned.
Ipinshagba called on all government agencies to regard the committee’s oversight not only as a statutory obligation but also a moral responsibility to uphold accountability.
“We must work together to ensure that our procurement processes reflect the highest standards of accountability and ethics. We owe that to the constituents who depend on us to ensure their resources are managed effectively and responsibly,” he said.
