Public Procurement Policies and Practices

By Funke Fadugba

This book, Public Procurement Policies and Practices, as a capsule has been empirically tested in the area of content that is policies, regulations, processes and procedures and promotion of deeper understanding in giving preference and meaning to such acronyms that can throw a Jonnie Just Come (JJC) off guard.

The book captures the various areas and technical points in the procurement process with the author making effective use of different typefaces, graphics, tables, diagrams, simple English language to break down complex T-junctions in the process.

It kicks off with preparing the user/reader for the jargons necessary to take a walk down the procurement process that is the acronyms.

This book, though technical, l has been made so attractive and relevant to all segments of the society from the policy maker, to the implementers, the investor, the activist, the contractor, the consultant and anti- corruption crusaders as well as students.

All those aspiring to the legislative and executive arms of government should get a copy of this book to efficiently perform both their executive- implementation and oversight functions. 

A student of political science or those of us that are warming up to swim in the country’s political waters in one capacity or the other, need knowledge to excel and not just the oratory power.

The author, Sam Afemikhe, has simplified a very crucial aspect of governance in this book to ensure that key players are above moral suasion, probes and threat of punishment in the course of service.

Some may even become accessories to a crime due to lack of knowledge as ignorance is no defense in law. We have seen many who are daily cutting corners to remain in power mainly to circumvent probes and likely punishment when they no longer have the immunity cover or leisurely hang on the corridors of power.

If they had the privilege of this book on Public Procurement Policies and Practices there would be no need for that. After the elections in April, any politician in any capacity who is still found wanting in the area of best practices or stumbles on the proverbial banana peels, will have himself to blame.

Such political fatality would be attributed to no other thing than the inability to tap into the wealth of knowledge exhibited and precautionary steps outlined in this book. To achieve Vision 20-20-20 aimed at tackling underdevelopment and poverty, this book is a must for all those involved or who aspire to share this vision and nurture it into fruition.

 It answers questions such as how much process is Due Process. And how do we avoid it becoming a bureaucratic ordeal?  In addition, as a law gets better after years of existence, the Public Procurement Act 2007 is sure to be better understood, appreciated and complied with, with this book as a practical companion on the pathway in the public procurement process.

This book details in full the various steps to be taken to check corruption and poor public expenditure management bedeviling Nigeria’s development. In fact, this book is the author’s contribution, a great one indeed, in the fight against corruption not by treating its consequences but tackling its root causes as it relates to abuse of discretionary powers.

It helps to empower those with discretionary power in public expenditure and management process on how best to retain this power and achieve delivery of goods and services to the citizenry.

 The author argues against the withdrawal or watering down of discretionary power saying this will make public expenditure management rigid, ineffectual and unworkable. This book is a further demonstration of Afemikhe’s passion for change management and process re-engineering.

This book, Public Procurement Policies and Practices, in itself is a process which started with the very fundamentals of public procurement. Under the fundamentals, that are the elements and essentials, money is valued in terms of the economy, its efficiency and effectiveness to attain best value for public expenditure to support sustainable development. 

Thus, it is essential to note that the ultimate aim of Public Procurement Policies and Practices, is to evaluate money – the economy to the extent in which it has promoted best expenditure to guarantee sustainable development.

• Mrs Fadugba is the executive director of Media Ethics Organisation, Lagos.

Edited by GABRIELLA OSAMOR