NAN-H-35
e-Procurement
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) Mr Jide Awe, an Information Technology expert has said that introduction of e-procurement into contracts would standardise contract processes in the country and stem corruption in the system.
Awe, the Chairman, Conference Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
According to him, e-procurement is relevant in combating corruption in the society and the country at large as it encourages openness.
“It is very relevant in combating corruption because procurement and contract awards are where lots of corruption exists.
“People are awarded contracts on the basis of friendship, family ties and who do you know and by the end of the day, the work is not done and money is taken out of the system.
“With e-procurement, contract awards become transparent, money is saved due to the fact that it helps in blocking leakages that aid corruption.
“It will help to standardise and automate the processes involved in contract awards as one of the benefits of e-procurement is transparency as it enhances access to information to the public on issues of work going on in their environment.
Awe said that it would also lead to collaboration of skills as people could now in combination with one another without fear of being duped due to the fact that most information they needed was online and open to public.
“There is more transparency as people can now download information, bid and not be disqualified because they know what to do, know when the process is starting and ending,” he said.
Awe said that to ensure that e-procurement had the desired impact; there was need for a monitoring mechanism.
“e-procurement is not an end in itself, there is need to ensure that the contract is monitored to get to its logical conclusion.
“We should ensure implementation of the contract and that it meets its specifications, so that people do not steal money meant for work.
“Training of all concerned including the public is important, this is to ensure that people have information easily and be able to investigate the progress of work,” Awe said.(NAN)
CAN/MO/AFA
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Felix Ajide
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