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Fashola seeks special funds for power, review of procurement act

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by

Femi Ajasa
in ,

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has advocated provision of special funds for the power sector and approval for the infrastructure Ministries to utilise all funds released even after expiration of a financial year.

According to a communiqué from the ministry yesterday, Fashola made the call during the Retreat for Directors, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals and Head of Units of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja.

The theme of the retreat was teamwork for optimal productivity.

The retreat, said the communiqué, noted that there was the need for the National Assembly to amend the Public Procurement Act 2007 with a view to reducing the time frame of the procurement process.

Fashola said there was the need for procuring entities to strictly adhere to the approved threshold as contained in the Procurement Guidelines issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, 2007 and other extant rules.

The minister advised procuring entities to always have in place, the procurement planning committee and fast track the procurement process based on budget proposals without necessarily waiting for the passage of the Appropriation Act.

He sought support from highest political levels in the implementation of the Ministry’s projects in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007, guidelines and other extant rules governing public procurement.

He said that there was the need to compel foreign companies involved in construction projects to sublet certain components of the projects to local/indigenous contractors with a view to building their capacity.

The minister advised thorough scrutiny of payments to consultants for project supervision in order to obtain maximum value for money.

The Communique in full:

COMMUNIQUE OF THE RETREAT FOR TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICERS AND CHIEF EXCUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING HELD AT SETRACO CEDAR ESTATE, LIFE CAMP, ABUJA, BETWEEN 18TH & 20TH MAY, 2017

The Retreat for Directors, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals and Head of Units of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing was held at the conference hall of the Setraco Cedar Estate, Life Camp, Abuja, between 18th & 20th May, 2017; with the theme: Teamwork for Optimal Productivity.

  1. The Retreat was declared open by the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, who presided over the three day event attended by the Permanent Secretary of Works and Housing Sectors, Engr Abubakar Magaji, Directors, Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and Head of Units in the Ministry.
  2. The Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing Sectors, Engr. Abubakar G. Magaji, gave the welcome address. In his speech, he reiterated that the retreat was informed by the need for the Ministry to reposition itself in its mandate of providing the much expected infrastructure in the country including good road network, affordable housing and efficient power supply.
  3. In his keynote address, the Hon. Minister thanked all for attending the retreat, pointing out the need for the Ministry to work together as a team to synergize efforts towards achieving its mandate. He drew the attention of the top management of the Ministry and its Parastatals to the need to acquaint themselves with one another by name and also treat each other with respect. Through this he expected that mutual respect and understanding will be built and the quality of services to be provided will be enhanced. He reminded the participants that the ministry has the largest budget because of the responsibility reposed on the ministry. Thus, this accorded maximum value and responsibility on the ministry.
  4. The event had six (6) presentations that border on the various aspects of interest to the public service. These topics are:
  5. Public Procurement- ‘’The Challenges of Effective Execution of Public Procurement Act, 2007’’;
  6. Administrative Procedure in the Public Service:
  • Relationship of the Ministry with Parastatals;
  • Adherence to Extant Rules
  • Regulations and Circulars

iii. Effective Project Implementation in the Power, Works and Housing Sectors;

  1. Understanding the Emerging Electricity Industry in Nigeria in view of the Power Sector Reform;
  2. Budgetary Allocation, Performance and Challenges of the Ministry; and
  3. Health and Wellbeing Talk;
  4. The Retreat was of the view that team work among staff of the Ministry will not only bring about optimal productivity but also enhance maximum achievements of the Ministry’s goals, objectives and overall mandate. Accordingly, the Retreat resolved as follows:
  5. appreciated the leadership of the Honourable Ministers and the Permanent Secretaries in their drive towards achieving the mandates of the Ministry;
  6. appreciated their wisdom to organize the Retreat with a view to synergizing efforts towards bringing together the top management staff of the Ministry to share ideas and experiences for effective service delivery;

iii. noted the need for support from highest political levels in the implementation of the Ministry’s projects in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007, guidelines and other extant rules governing public procurement;

  1. noted the need for the National Assembly to amend the Public Procurement Act, 2007 with a view to reducing the time frame of the procurement process;
  2. noted the need to build the capacity of public officials involved in public procurement;
  3. noted the need to compel foreign companies involved in construction projects to sublet certain components of the projects to local/indigenous contractors with a view to building their capacity;

vii. noted the need for procuring entities to strictly adhere to the approved threshold as contained in the Procurement Guidelines issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, 2007 and other extant rules;

viii. advised procuring entities to always have in place, the procurement planning committee and fast track the procurement process based on budget proposals without necessarily waiting for the passage of the Appropriation Act;

  1. advised that thorough scrutiny of payments to consultants for project supervision in order to obtain maximum value for money;
  2. noted that administrative procedures are critical to maintaining in regulating order, general principles and rules of providing public service and should be adhered to strictly