A week after Dataphyte’s story on the COVID-19 procurement data by the Federal Medical Centre Yola, the agency has updated its record. Recent data on the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) showed that the agency had adjusted its contractor’s details.
By last checks, Dataphyte found that the agency has added DCL Laboratory Products Ltd as a beneficiary of the contract;
Before this, Dataphyte observed how the agency awarded Ahmadu Umaru, the secretary to FMC Yola Director, ₦343.7 million;
In all, the action exemplifies the importance of the open contracting portal in ensuring accountability and transparency.
The action is in adherence to the Emergency Procurement Rules and the Procurement Act (PPA).
Section 43 of the PPA further mandates all procurements to handle emergency procurements along with principles of accountability. It also made provision for procuring entities to file a detailed report with the Bureau after such procurement.
Flip back
Initially, the FMC Yola-led by Prof Auwal M Abubakar had named one Ahmadu Umaru as the beneficiary of ₦343.7 million COVID-19 contracts. An individual, Dataphyte found to be no other than Mr Abubakar’s secretary. The report revealed that the Director risks three to five years imprisonment contravening public procurement law.
Several media reports have shown various malpractices in the COVID-19 procurement process. Dataphyte had earlier reported how FIRS likely inflated the cost of hand sanitisers in a contract worth ₦32.3 million. Likewise, FMC Abeokuta, Dikko Umaru Radda-led SMEDAN, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, all wanting from similar malpractice. These included awarding unverified contractors, inflating contract sum, and tampering with COVID-19 data after FOI request.
₦343.7 million contracts to DCL Laboratory Products Ltd
However, it seems FMC Yola made good on Dataphyte’s former report. A fairly recent development too. On checking the portal, this reporter found that the agency had added DCL Laboratory Products Ltd as a beneficiary of the contract.
The contract was for the ‘procurement of molecular laboratory equipment,’ under the COVID-19 intervention.
The company, registered on June 2nd, 2005, deals in clinical laboratory planning, installation, and fittings, per a statement on its website.
Further checks revealed that the company complied with all regulatory requirements for bidding for federal government contracts.
The essence of NOCOPO
By and large, the preceding exemplifies the importance of the open contracting portal. Its purpose is to help Nigerian citizens checkmate government MDAs’ various contract awards and processes. The portal also helps in verifying the credibility and competence of contractors, consultants, and service providers.
Last year, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Mamman Ahmadu, harped that the portal has prevented corruption and competition in the contractual system. He added that the transparency and accountability models of the portal are crucial for increased citizens’ participation in the country’s procurement processes.