FG makes registration with regulatory authority mandatory for public equipment leasing

 The Federal Government has made Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) certificate mandatory for public procurement processes involving equipment leasing.

This is contatined in a statement signed by Ngozi Anyaelezu, Acting Head, Public Relations, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on Thursday in Abuja.

“The directive requires Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other procuring entities to demand evidence of ELRA registration from prospective bidders.

“The requirement is contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, dated Aug. 12.

“The circular also mandates compliance with Section 13 of the Equipment Leasing Act, 2015, on the registration of lease agreements,” the statement said.

The Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, called on all MDAs and procuring entities to ensure strict compliance.

Adedokun said procurement advertisements and solicitation documents must clearly state the ELRA registration requirement for equipment-leasing bidders.

He said the requirement applied to new projects and programmes, including prequalification exercises, financial bids and combined procurement exercises.

According to him, procurement approvals, contract awards and execution will not be recognised for equipment-leasing procedures that fail to meet the requirement.

The BPP boss said the directive aimed to strengthen regulatory compliance, promote safety and quality standards, and eliminate unregistered equipment-leasing practices.

He said that appropriate administrative and regulatory sanctions would apply to non-compliant entities.

The director-general said the measure also sought to improve transparency, efficiency, value for money and professionalism in public procurement and equipment-leasing practices.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman