?By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to conclude the 2024 procurement processes by the end of September 2025.

??The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

??He said the directive followed a briefing by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to President Tinubu.

??He noted that more than 70 MDAs are yet to finalize procurement for 2024 projects, despite the fiscal year officially ending in December 2024.

?“Although the law was extended to allow full implementation, the BPP noted that it is now over 20 months after passage, warning that delays could lead to unnecessary liabilities for government.”

??The BPP also recommended that the President obtain a comprehensive update on projects awarded by each ministry and minister.

?“To this end, it asked that lists of projects under the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years from each Ministry and its Parastatals be forwarded for review, in line with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s (SGF) circular on project reporting.”

??MDAs were further urged to prioritize the use of Nigerian-made goods and services in ongoing and future projects.

?“It highlighted that such goods and services must meet international standards and be certified by relevant government authorities.”

??The BPP, in collaboration with the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, will track compliance and report to the Presidency.

?“The BPP, working with the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, will monitor compliance, with details to be sent to the Presidency for further action,” the minister said. (NAN)