By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
The new Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, has rolled out his plans to reform and reposition the agency for effective and efficient performance.
The new DG made the disclosure while addressing a press conference tagged: “Renewed Hope Through Strategic Procurement” on Monday in Abuja.
The Nigeria’s procurement system, according to him, though has made remarkable progress over the years, the potential opportunities inherent only in efficient performance of the Bureau’s statutory functions have remained largely untapped, hence the need for reforms, creativity, and establishment of new standards to make the dwsired impacts.
He said, “My vision for BPP is to lead a regulatory institution that fosters strategic partnerships with public service organisations, ant-corruption agencies, civil society, the media, and development partners. Together, we will reposition the BPP as a driving force for Nigeria’s socio-economic growth through world-class procurement practices.”
The BPP Boss said his renewed vision is anchored on three (3) key pillars, namely Transparency and Accountability; Competence, Efficiency, Integrity and Innovation, as well as Inclusivity and Economic Growth.
The Chief procurement officer of Nigeria Outlined his key priorities for 2025 to include: leveraging technology and automation to have an electronic procurement system that would enable ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to conduct advertisements, thereby improving cost efficiency and transparency.
In attendance for their respective ant-corruption organisations were the Chairman, Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),
Another one is keeping standardised procurement records and ensuring real-time monitoring capabilities.
He also hinted of plans to ensure stakeholders’ accessibility and accountability through a centralised digital platform, and streamlining of processes to reduce turnaround times and enhance efficiency.
According to Adedokun, capacity building will be taken more seriously, and the agency will regulate and develop certification programmes that position officers as world-class experts, capable of bringing the renewed hope dream to fruition.
Stressing the need to strengthen collaboration with the various stakeholders for progress and attainment of the set goals, he said, “Our efforts will include: deepening partnership with anti-corruption agencies, CSOs, professional bodies, and development partners harmonising standards with state procurement regulatory bodies.”
The measures also includes, reintroducing sensitisation workshops for key Stakeholders, including Federal Permanent Secretaries, CEOs, Legal Officers, members of the National Assembly, and the Judiciary; promoting affirmative procurement, inclusivity; prioritising local businesses and MSMEs to stimulate economic growth and create jobs among others.
The BPP head also said that to ensure comprehensive reforms, the agency would work with development partners to implement the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), a global standard accessment tool that helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our procurement system, and highlights areas that need improvement.
He said in collaboration with sister anti-corruption agencies, unethical practices would be sanctioned and good conduct, duly rewarded under his watch, calling on all stakeholders to join him in achieving procurement excellence in the country going forward.
Also in attendance at the conference on behalf of their respective anti-corruption agencies were the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu; the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Andullahi Usman Bello; the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanikpekun Oluyede (represented); and the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonaya Orji.
The sister anti-corruption agencies, in their respective goodwill remarks, commended the appointment of Adedokun as a square peg in a square hole, giving his long-time experience in the sector, while pledging their unalloyed support for BPP in achieving the set goals.