FG Makes Registration Compulsory For Public Equipment Leasing Contracts

The federal government has made registration with the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) compulsory for bidders seeking public procurement contracts involving equipment leasing.
The directive was contained in a brief issued in Abuja by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and signed by its Acting Head of Public Relations, Ngozi Anyaelezu.
According to the statement, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as other procuring entities, must require prospective bidders to provide evidence of ELRA registration.
The requirement is contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on August 12. The circular also mandates compliance with Section 13 of the Equipment Leasing Act, 2015, which provides for the registration of lease agreements.
The director-general of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, urged all MDAs and procuring entities to comply strictly with the directive.
He said procurement advertisements and solicitation documents must clearly state the registration requirement for bidders seeking equipment-leasing contracts.
The directive applies to new projects and programmes, including prequalification exercises, financial bids and combined procurement exercises.
Adedokun said procurement approvals, contract awards and execution would not be recognised where equipment-leasing procedures failed to meet the requirement.
He said the measure was intended to strengthen regulatory compliance, promote safety and quality standards, and eliminate unregistered equipment-leasing practices.
The BPP director-general added that administrative and regulatory sanctions would apply to entities that failed to comply.
He said the directive was also aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, value for money and professionalism in public procurement and equipment-leasing activities.