Executive Members of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria, APPON have been inaugurated.
At the inauguration in Abuja, the Chief Whip of the 9th House of Representatives, Alhaji Mohammed Monguno called on public procurement Practitioners to uphold the ethics and values of the profession to curb the rate of corruption in the procurement process of government.
Alhaji Monguno, said the role of the Association was vital in checkmating irregularities and unprofessionalism in the procurement process which is often an avenue for most corrupt practices in governance.
“Most of the corrupt activities are done in the procurement process, Once the procurement process is strictly adhered to in consonance with the public Procurement Act, issues of corruption will be greatly reduced” he said
The Chief whip of the House of Representative further urged members of the Association to manifest the implementation of the Public Procurement Act and gave the assurance of the National Assembly to partner with the association to address gaps in the law to address unprofessionalism in procurement process.
The Director Procurement Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Rukayat Adjoke commended the Association for establishing a structure that would monitor and encourage integrity, professionalism and transparency in public procurement processes.
The Director General of the National Center for Women Development, Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir maintained that the Association would stabilise procurement practices and promote ethical standards among public procurement practitioners for sustainable development.
National President of the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria, APPON, Mr. Emem Kanico expressed worry over the rate at which non- procurement officers undertake duties of public procurement which had contributed to corrupt practices in procurement process in the country.
“APPON seeks to promotes, stimulate and sustain national development through best practices. Our aim is also to project and protect the practice of public procurement in Nigeria especially in the public sector and to provide world class programmes and trainings for practitioners.” He said.
The event with the theme: “Challenges of Non-Procurement Professionals in Public Procurement process and its effects on National Economic Growth and Sustainability” also featured the award of fellowship, Honorary Fellowship and Associate Members to outstanding members, patrons and Friends of the Association.
Reporting by Azizatu Sani, editing by Daniel Adejo.