By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Ondo State have been charged to comply strictly with the provisions of the Ondo State Bureau of Public Procurement (ODBPP) Law, 2017, to drive the much-needed development across the state.

This was the stance of the Ondo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on Tender and Procurement during the close of a public hearing on the 2023 procurement audit reports, submitted by the State Bureau of Public Procurement and held at the Assembly complex.

The Committee stressed that visible development remains the fairest justification for the taxes paid by citizens.

Speaking to journalists after the event, the Chairman of the Committee, Tunji Ifabiyi, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation, saying it enabled a thorough scrutiny of the audit reports.

He noted that the audit exercise, the first of its kind by the House since the procurement law came into effect in 2017, was designed to restore public confidence in government transactions while promoting transparency, probity and accountability in governance.

Ifabiyi, however, issued a stern warning to MDAs, urging them to submit their reports annually as required by law, rather than shifting the responsibility into the following year. He advised MDAs whose reports were not cleared to do so within the stipulated timeframe or risk facing stiff sanctions.

The lawmaker further underscored the need for regular capacity-building sessions for staff, noting that such training would enhance efficiency and service delivery. He frowned upon the unceremonious transfer and retirement of senior accounting officers without proper handovers, describing the practice as a threat to smooth government operations.

Also speaking, a senior official of the ODBPP, Mr Bunmi Akinsemola, described the exercise as a landmark achievement, saying it was not only the first of its kind in Ondo State but possibly the first in Nigeria.

Akinsemola hailed the State Assembly for its initiative, declaring that Ondo State was setting a new benchmark for public procurement transparency.

“Though the legal framework for procurement accountability has existed for years, its actual implementation only took off in 2023. People had to be capacitated, trained to meet the demands of the law. That explains the time lapse,” he said.

“The foundation has been laid. Training, awareness and systems are now in place. The Bureau is ready. The reports will continue to go to the House of Assembly.”

Speaking passionately about the need for accountability in public spending, he added, “If I take one million naira of my personal money to the market intending to buy a vehicle, I can change my mind. But if that money is public funds, earmarked for a specific purpose, then I have no right to divert it.

“That is taxpayers’ money. It belongs to the people of Ondo State. And no one wants to be caught in the net of anti-graft agencies. All it takes is to follow the due process, adhere to the laws, circulars and guidelines. Even the Bible says, ‘To obey is better than sacrifice.’”

Akinsemola revealed that work had already begun on the 2024 report, clarifying that such reports could only be compiled after the end of the fiscal year.

“We submitted the 2023 report last year, and the House Committee on Procurement and Tender is already awaiting the next one,” he said.

“We will burn the candle at both ends to meet the deadline. And, of course, there will be another public hearing to ensure compliance.”

No fewer than 65 MDAs took part in the first and second phases of the audit for the 2023 fiscal year.