The Senate has drawn a hard line against disobedient Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), ordering an immediate suspension of all procurement activities for those refusing to comply with legislative oversight.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinshagba, issued the directive during a press briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, describing the continued defiance of some agencies as “an attack on democracy and a gross violation of the Public Procurement Act.”
“Our oversight duty is enshrined in the Constitution. It’s not a favour. It’s the law. Any agency flouting this process is undermining the Nigerian people,” Ipinshagba declared.
The Senator said the Committee, in partnership with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has moved to halt all procurement approvals for defaulting MDAs—effective immediately.
“I have instructed the BPP to freeze procurement processes for every agency that has ignored our summons. Enough is enough,” he announced.
He described the MDAs’ attitude as “flagrant and unacceptable,” warning that further sanctions, including personal liability for heads of agencies, may follow.
Ipinshagba stressed that public procurement must reflect transparency, accountability, and value for money—not backdoor dealings or institutional arrogance.
“A few rogue agencies cannot be allowed to sabotage national development. This Senate will not stand idly by while public trust is abused,” he said.
Calling this a final warning, he urged all MDAs to submit pending documents and appear before the Committee without delay—or face the full weight of legislative action.
“The era of impunity is over. Compliance is the new normal,” he concluded.