By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has inaugurated the Working Group on Environmental Standards for the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Project (SPESSE) with a charge to enhance support and foster relevant stakeholders collaboration in the sector.
Lawal in his keynote address at the inauguration in Abuja on Tuesday, said the SPESSE seeks to address a critical gap in the country’s capacity, including the inadequate supply of qualified professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards.
According to the minister, “We have recognized the need for a stronger pool of professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards. This project will play a pivotal role in filling this void, equipping our workforce with the expertise needed to drive sustainable practices across various sectors.
“By establishing this working group, we are taking a proactive step toward bridging this gap and building sustainable capacity in these sectors. This is essential not only for the success of the project but also for the long-term sustainability and resilience of our economy and society.
“It is important to note that this project’s goals align seamlessly with President Tinubu’s vision for a more transparent procurement process. Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance, and by enhancing our environmental and social standards, we are taking a significant step towards achieving this objective.
“Furthermore, this initiative is integral to our broader goals of enhanced capacity for global competitiveness, economic growth and job creation. A skilled workforce is essential to driving innovation and resilience.
Earlier in a welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmoud Adam Kambari reaffirm the ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting the implementation of the SPESSE Project.
