In line with the extant laws to promote public trust and transparency in government business, the Bureau of Public Procurement recently trained personnel that would deliver public value in MDA’s under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s dispensation, JOHN SILAS SOUTH WEST EDITOR Witnessed the event writers.
To meet the changing demands of the public sector and offer greater flexibility in procedures and practices, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said it is committed to modernizing the Public Procurement Regulatory Frameworks of the agency by training personnel.
Acting Director General of the BPP, Barrister Olusegun Omotola, gave the expression yesterday during the “2024 training for Conversion/Induction of it’s personnel into the Procurement Cadre in Parastatals, Institutions,
Commissions and Agencies of the Federal Government,” in Lagos.
He noted that, work was ongoing on the review of the current Public Procurement Act 2007 in this regard, and sought the support of all stakeholders when it gets to the National Assembly.
Highlighting some of the critical roles procurement officers play in MDA’s, he said the era of procurement reform presents both challenges and opportunities, as their role in navigating this landscape is very crucial.
According to him, “Remember, you are not just administrators of processes; you are strategic partners in delivering public value and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
“Your expertise, adaptability, ethical standards and collaborative skills will be instrumental in driving successful procurement reform and elevating the strategic importance of the
procurement function within your organizations.”
Mr. Omotola noted that, the reform will be driven under four pillars which include; modernization of legislative and regulatory framework; Strengthening of institutional framework and management capacity; Improvement of procurement operations and market practices and strengthening integrity of public procurement system.
He pointed out that, the bureau also aims to simplifying and streamlining the procurement processes with the deployment of
e-Government Procurement (e-GP).
“We are determined to reduce the delivery timelines of BPP operations through the deployment of a transparent and AI driven Procurement Review Management System to manage its workflow and prevent corrupt practices.
“ We are determined to implement Organizational Re-engineering, ensure
Organizational Culture Change and Transform and Re-brand the BPP as a proactive and effective regulator and anti-corruption agency; among others”, ne stated.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, said a procurement officer’s functions are fought with risks and temptation that only transparency of actions, integrity and loyalty to the organisation can protect the officials.
Aliyu charged the incoming officers to strive by taking only actions that they can report publicly and defend, noting that, a life of integrity is compatible with public procurement.
He noted that one of the mistakes an officer would make is to assume that, he knows it already; reminding the trainees that the course is not only for training but for certification.
“As your involvement on procurement hangs in a balance until you are duly certified”, he charged.
Director General, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Idowu Onafowote observed that, the collaboration between the BPP Lagos and the Public procurement agency holds great potentials for the future.
He noted that Lagos State government, has been relentless in its pursuit for procurement reforms that align with global best practices in executing government business amongst others.
He reminded the participants to imbibe the insights given to them by the training as truly certified procurement officers.
