Reps Probe Disability Commission Over Alleged N97m POS Procurement

Reps Probe Disability Commission Over Alleged N97m POS Procurement

The House of Representatives Committee on Disability has launched an investigation into the procurement activities of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) following allegations that the agency spent about N97 million to purchase 101 Point-of-Sale (POS) machines.

The probe began on Thursday after stakeholders appearing before the committee raised concerns about alleged contract inflation, questionable procurement procedures and the implementation of some projects by the commission.

Chairman of the committee, Bashiru Dawodu, said the panel would thoroughly examine the allegations but emphasised that those making the claims must provide documentary evidence to back them up.

One of the stakeholders, Abdullahi Ibrahim, told lawmakers that several procurement activities carried out by the commission appeared to have been inflated, causing concern within the disability community.

He cited the purchase of POS machines as a major example, questioning the justification for the reported cost.

“How can a disability commission pay about N97 million for 101 POS machines with starter packs when the actual cost is far lower?” Ibrahim asked.

He further alleged that some training programmes and other procurement exercises undertaken by the commission also involved inflated contract values.

According to him, the situation has generated anxiety among persons with disabilities and stakeholders who rely on the commission for support.

Members of the committee, however, maintained that the allegations must be backed with verifiable documents before any conclusions can be reached. They asked stakeholders who appeared before the panel to submit all relevant evidence to assist the investigation.

Responding to the allegations, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Ayuba Gufwan, told lawmakers that steps had already been taken to address procurement irregularities discovered shortly after he assumed office.

Gufwan explained that although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him on August 6, 2024, he was unable to immediately assume duties because he was hospitalised following an accident and only resumed work about two weeks later.

According to him, he was surprised to discover that major procurement decisions had been taken by his predecessor during the period the leadership transition was expected to take place.

“Upon resumption about two weeks afterwards, I discovered that my predecessor, who should have handed over on August 6, took some decisive procurement decisions on behalf of the commission,” he said.

Gufwan said the commission’s Procurement Tenders Board later reviewed the transactions and declared them illegal.

“We convened a meeting of the Procurement Tenders Board and it was resolved that all the procurements presided over by the former executive secretary during that period were illegal, null and void. Those contracts were revoked and a fresh process was initiated for the 2024 procurement,” he explained.

He assured lawmakers that all relevant documents relating to the transactions would be submitted to the committee for scrutiny.

Beyond the procurement concerns, the executive secretary also highlighted reforms introduced to strengthen the commission’s operations nationwide.

He said that when he took over the leadership of the commission, there were no operational zonal offices despite provisions in the law establishing the agency.

“I did not inherit a single zonal office. As a person with disability myself, I understand the challenges of mobility and transportation faced by persons with disabilities,” he said.

Gufwan disclosed that the commission has since established regional offices in Plateau, Bauchi, Abia and Oyo states to serve the North-Central, North-East, South-East and South-West zones, while efforts are ongoing to open offices in other parts of the country.

He also noted that limited funding has affected the commission’s ability to provide accommodation and transportation support for persons with disabilities who travel to Abuja to seek assistance.

Members of the committee said additional hearings may be scheduled to allow more stakeholders present evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.