The federal government said it has introduced new policies and innovations to alter the existing procurement value chain for improved budget implementations.
It added that the revised methods include the Request for Quotation as well as the introduction of electronic documentation and packaging of contract procedures.
The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Mallam Mamman Ahmadu disclosed this on Friday while addressing participants at a Two Day Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries with the theme, “Strengthening Public Procurement for Optimal Effectiveness” in Akwa Ibom State.
Ahmadu said the retreat was aimed at taking stock of how respective ministries have fared over the years, particularly in terms of submission of procurement plans and records (NOCOPO).
He said a better understanding of the new thresholds would make procurement implementation easier for Permanent Secretaries whom he called Accounting Officers, saying that the revised standard would remove prior regulatory scrutiny on them.
The DG explained that the e-procurement system has been developed by the Bureau in partnership with the World Bank and 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies selected as Pilot Procuring Entities before the full rollout of the e-system service-wide.
In his words, ” the bureau will now place emphasis on its roles in procurement, monitoring, surveillance and audit, it is rewarding to note that tremendous improvements have been recorded in the public procurement process over the years.
He emphasized that one of the objectives of the Retreat was to improve procurement implementation in Nigeria and ensure effective execution of the annual budget.
In his words, ” the bureau will now place emphasis on its roles in procurement, monitoring, surveillance and audit, it is rewarding to note that tremendous improvements have been recorded in the public procurement process over the years.
“However, there is a need to do more to maximize on the gains already recorded and to close gaps on the lapses .”
Mrs Folasade Yemi Esan while presenting her remarks said, “ the laws regulating public procurement in the country exist to ensure that, public funds and resources are responsibly utilized with the objective of obtaining value for money.”
She urged the Permanent Secretaries to use scrutiny and discretion before the award of contracts which must be within their approval thresholds in conformity with other extant financial regulations as it is important to know that, liabilities arising from failure to ensure accountability and transparency may not go away even after leaving the office.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel said the state government has prepared the reforms of procurement services through the enactment of public procurement laws by the state House of Assembly.
Governor Emmanuel who was represented by Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo said the state government has domesticated the regulated procurement culture in the affairs of the state.
Credit: The Daily Post.
