Abuja — Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal, said, yesterday, that the N350 billion being injected by the Federal Government into the economy would be strictly monitored.

He said this while declaring open the second National Conference on Public Procurement, NACOPP, entitled: “Sustaining the anti-corruption campaign through best procurement practices.”

The conference was organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, to increase awareness among critical stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of Public Procurement Act, PPA, 2007.

Represented by Mrs Phyllis Nwokedi, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties at the Presidency, the SGF said the money was provided to enable contractors meet their obligations.

He said: “Government recently committed to the injection of N350 billion into the economy to enable contractors discharge their obligations in the delivery of infrastructure.

“This imposes greater responsibilities on procuring entities, contractors and service providers. Every kobo disbursed will be strictly guided by the procurement rules.”

Lawal commended the BPP for its foresight in factoring states into its implementation of the BPP Act 2007.

He said it was clear that the 25 states that had enacted laws to set up procurement regulatory agencies did it on their perception that the act was working at the federal level.

Similarly, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mr Muhammad Bello, said the establishment of due process policy was instrumental to birthing the PPA 2007.

Represented by the Chairman, FCT Area Council Service Commission, Mr Buba Gamawa, Bello said the Act had helped in sanitising procurement process in Nigeria.

Responding, Acting Director-General of the BPP, Mr Ahmed Abdu, said NACOPP served as a consultative and advisory body to all the tiers of government in the federation.

He said it promoted a sustainable relationship and synergy between heads of procurement regulatory bodies at the federal and state levels.