The Federal Executive Council of Nigeria has approved over N630 million for the Ministry of Justice to engage the services of a consultancy firm that would assist the nation in the deployment of technology to reduce risks and damages associated with the award of contracts.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Wednesday, at the end of the council’s weekly meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the Minister, the memo presented by the Ministry of Justice will help address all deficiencies associated with contracts that expose the nation to higher risks and damages.
“This memo is intended to bring about a new development in contract administration in Nigeria, by way of deployment of technology, building capacity and specialization, developing a continuous check list of all existing contracts and ensuring that the interest of the Nigerian government in all contracts to be considered by Ministries, Department and Agencies, are adequately addressed, to ensure that the government is not subjected to higher risks as it relates to damages and deficiency in contracts that it may sign with third parties.
“So, the Federal Executive Council considered the memo and granted approval for the engagement of a consultancy service firm that will now assist in the deployment of technology in building the capacity of the relevant departments in the Federal Ministry of Justice that are responsible for providing technical services in the formulation of contracts and to ensure that the necessary clauses and protection is provided for the government in the drafting of agreements so as to reduce to the barest minimum the level of digression witnessed recently in some contracts.
The attorney general said the council approved the contract for consultancy services in the sum of N630, 132, 750 inclusive of the 7.5 percent value-added tax, with a completion period of six months.
