The Ekiti House of Assembly has passed the Public Procurement Bill into law to boost the state public procurement legal framework.

The bill entitled: Ekiti Public Procurement (Re-Enactment) Bill, 2020, was passed at Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, in Ado-Ekiti.

The Grand Nigeria Business News gathered that state Public Procurement Law, 2010 had undergone three amendments, with the last done in 2017.

The Assembly unanimously adopted the report presented by its Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and Due Process, which was read by its Chairman, Mr Abiodun Fawekun.

Fawekun said that the paradigm shift in the proposed law was for the full decentralisation of public procurement in the state adding that the re-enacted law would put Ekiti in tandem with the globally-prescribed model for result-oriented programmes, such as the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and Implementation of e-procurement.

The speaker applauded the committee for doing a good job within the shortest period of time.

Meanwhile, the attention of the lawmakers was called to the hazardous activities of some scrap merchants on the Iyin-Ekiti/Ado-Ekiti road by Mr Femi Akindele.

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Akindele, representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency, brought to the notice of the Assembly under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, the environmental hazards, which, he believes could cause health problems, if not stopped immediately.

The lawmaker pointed out that the scrap merchants were fond of burning tyres, causing air pollution. He urged the assembly to liaise with relevant government’s agencies to safeguard the health of the residents.

The speaker, who frowned at the development, directed the House Committee on Environment to synergise with the state Ministry of Environment to stop the act.

Thereafter, The Grand Nigeria Business News reports that the Assembly adjourned its sitting indefinitely.