BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
For the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP, the major reforms been carried out in the last one year is in exclusive of other programs like the SPESSE , the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement project in Nigeria, a World Bank-supported initiative led by the National Universities Commission (NUC), to build capacity in public and private sectors for managing procurement, environment, and social issues through training, academic programs (like Post Graduates).
With the new leadership in BPP under the purview of Dr Adebowale Adedokun,who convened an enlarged workshop to galvanize staffers and stakeholders towards inculcating the new trend of procurement processes, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, RHA of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The determination to improve on workers capacity building not restricted to BPP alone , but the entire country covering all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, trickle down to State levels and local governments, so as to give a new lease of approach to procurement in the country.
Since procurement is the bane of all services which included contracts, supplies among many others , the genuine reason for convening the capacity building session by BPP deserved accolade to address the frequent sharp practices prevalent in procurement processes, laced with under and over quotations involved in bill of quantities and supplies that mitigated against the smooth operation of government activities.
The one day session and initiatives launched by the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement,BPP for staffers in conjunction with the World Bank has impacted greatly in their activities and expected to go round all sections .
Since training and retraining as well as capacity building is the onus of the civil service at all levels, the introduction of SPESSE into the programs of the government agencies cannot be overlooked.
The wisdom of the introduction of SPESSE into the activities of BPP has began to pay off , with the abrogation of unverified “No Objections ” notices to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, constant training and supervision of procurement process and procurement departments , as well as appointment of procurement officers into various positions at MDA’s and other government offices, among many others.
With SPESSE introduced by the BPP in conjunction with the World Bank, no doubt the ongoing re-orientation and capacity building will not only be restricted to Nigeria alone , but attract necessary input to boost the procurement processes in the country from the globe.
By it’s nomenclature, no doubt the enhancement of social standards and environment will be a lasting solution to procurement inactions and sharp practices.
The ongoing revolution and major reorganisation in BPP. under Adebowale Adedokun, no doubt the new program will not only see the light of the day , but create positive development and improved performance in all areas.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
