The Federal Government has ordered Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to forward list of ongoing and new projects in order of priority, for immediate funding.
In a circular from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning ,Mrs Fatima Mede, the government said “all ministries should forward the list of projects in order of priority that requires immediate funding to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, to enable us process and thereafter send a report to the Federal Ministry of Finance for release of funds.”
In another circular from the SGF’s office signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal stated that the 2016 budget must be fully and effectively implemented.
To achieve this, the SGF ordered all MDAs to accelerate their procurement activities for all its new and ongoing projects and programmes indicated in the 2016 budget. It stated however, that this must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
According to SGF, “to fast-track the implementation of the 2016 budget, particularly for the new programmes and projects, MDAs are accordingly directed to comply with the six weeks advertisement period stipulated in the Procurement Act. In other words, the prequalified evaluation process should not exceed 14 days, while financial evaluation process, notification of award and obtaining necessary approvals should not exceed 30 days altogether.
The SGF also directed MDAs “to advertise and invite bids for projects costing less than N100 million for goods and services and N300 million for works as such procurements do not require separate pre-qualification.
The circular directed MDAs that had not commenced the implementation of their 2016 procurement plans to proceed immediately, while threatening that slowness in whatever form would not be tolerated.
All accounting officers were advised to ensure strict compliance with the contents of the circular.
