The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has advocated the amendment of procurement laws at the state level as a quick fix to the protracted economic recession in Nigeria.
He also called on the state Houses of Assembly to take a cue from the senate by embarking on the review of the state procurement laws to draw attention to the patronage of local companies.
He made the call at Offa, Kwara state at an empowerment programme where the Senate Committee Chairman on Media, Aliyu Shabi and Mr Dino Melaye, absolved the senate chamber of corrupt practices.
“The present eighth senate has never and would never be involved in corrupt practices.”
They then added that the senate would continue to collaborate with the executive to fight the scourge.
The media chairman said “you cannot say there is corruption at the National Assembly and as far as am concerned, the senate is the best place where corruption is being fought.
“If you look at the statistics, we are in 16 years of democracy, how many people can you say are rich after leaving National Assembly.
“Most of the people being tried today are people who held executive positions and that shows there is no corruption at the National Assembly.
“Whatever comes to us goes to the National Assembly. When you elect a governor it will be difficult reaching him because of the security but it is always easy to meet and discuss with members of the legislature, Mr Shabi said.
Mr Melaye on the other hand described it as “fallaciuos to say we are corrupt. We are in the vanguard of fighting corruption and we have a leader who is the vanguard of fighting corruption and who fought it during the Jonathan era.
“One of our cardinal objectives at the eight senate is to fight corruption and Bukola Saraki is doing that”.
Saraki, however expressed optimism that the amendment would create opportunities for many citizens, as government would be left with no choice than to prioritize local content in the award of contract in agencies and parastatals.
“It is high time we look beyond the objectives of making laws but focus on things that will enhance the social well-being of the people through empowerment.
“We must ensure we find ways of addressing the tough economic situations that is facing our people that we are representing.
“That is why empowerment programmes are very important at this period in supporting our people.
“I do hope also that the states assemblies will take a leaf from us and also make amendments to state procurement laws that will ensure that priority is given to local companies in certain arears, ” he stressed.