Senate on Wednesday raised the mobilisation of local contractors from 15 percent to 30 percent. The increase was contained in a new amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
The lawmakers argued that the amendment became imperative to eradicate abandonment of contracts due to the fact that contract mobilization is always not enough.
On foreign contractors, the Senate was silent on any fixed percentage. However, it insisted that it was better the contractors use their funds to execute projects before being paid.
The Senate further set a time limit for award of contracts and recommended two weeks for processing, and four days for issuance of certificates to qualified contractors.
The senators took turns to argue on the new amendment and most of them said contract certificates be issued by Bureau of Public Procurement, instead of MDAs.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Procurement, Shuaibu Is, an explained while presenting the amendment Act, that the legislative action was meant to revolutionise procurement process and end scam in award of contracts.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the legislation and amendment of the Act, apart from encouraging local contractors, would further eradicate sharp practices in the procurement processes.
Urging the House of Representatives to concur the amendment, Lawan said if the Act was quickly passed as amended by Senate, it would be speedily assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
