TMV Hails New Contract Variation Policy, Says It Will Boost Accountability and Cut Waste

Oru Leonard 

ABUJA – The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has commended the Federal Government’s newly introduced policy on contract variation and augmentation, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in public procurement.

The group said the policy, which centralizes the approval process for contract variations through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), would help eliminate abuses and ensure better oversight of government projects across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, TMV noted that the revised guidelines require all contract variations and augmentation requests to pass through the BPP for scrutiny before being forwarded to the appropriate approving authorities, including the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Ministerial Tenders Boards, the National Assembly, and the National Judicial Council.

According to the group, the policy was developed under the provisions of Section 5(a) and (o) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and introduces a more structured framework for managing adjustments to contract sums.

TMV explained that under the new arrangement, work variations valued at N10 billion and above would require approval from top-level authorities such as the FEC, National Assembly Tenders Board, and National Judicial Council.

Variations ranging from N5 billion to below N10 billion would be handled by Ministerial Tenders Boards, while those between N75 million and N5 billion would fall under the jurisdiction of Parastatal and Judicial Tenders Boards.
The group also highlighted that the revised policy replaces the 2013 guidelines, which mandated presidential approval for contract variations exceeding 15 per cent of an initial contract value of N1 billion.

It further noted that the new guidelines place emphasis on final project designs and stipulate that no variation or fluctuation claim can proceed to any approving authority without obtaining a BPP Certificate of No Objection.

TMV described the reform as a timely intervention that would close loopholes in public contract administration, reduce unnecessary costs, and promote prudent management of public resources.

The group therefore applauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for implementing the policy, expressing confidence that it would enhance good governance and deliver greater value for Nigerians through improved project execution and procurement processes.