By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Kefas Agbu has said that accountability, good governace, probity and reliability are the key elements of his MOVING FORWARD agenda.
He stated this while declaring open a 3-day sensitization workshop for local government chairmen, Council leaders, Directors of Budget, Directors of Finance and Procurement Officers of the sixteen local governments of the state, organize by the Bereau for Public Procurement (BPP), held at the Shield Hotel, Jalingo.
The Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Elder Ibrahim Irimiya Yaboro said,
“Remember that about last year on 23rd August 2023, I approved a similar Workshop programme for the newly inaugurated Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries in conjunction with the same consultancy firm to enable Taraba State key into my agenda of Transparency and accountability in Governance and of course the major thrust of my Moving Forward policies.
“Just a year into to my first tenure on the saddle of Taraba State, I can beam with smiles; that at least I have been able to take the state to another level through a pragmatic and meaningfully assessed policies; especially ones that improve the lots of people of Taraba State.
“Today we are here again to witness this particular one which greatly focuses on procurement practices and Budget preparation to assist our Council to be upright in the discharge of their duties.
“Part of the postcard OF MY MOVING FORWARD is the strengthening of the key sectors of our economy like the BPP that promote transparency, stimulate growth, and ensure accountability in the Affairs of Governance.
“It is to underscore the above that I feel duty-bound to remain constant in ensuring that this type of Workshop takes place as often as possible to promote merit, Accountability, Transparency, Probity and Reliability as essential elements of good Governance.
He advise partispants to give the workshop a topmost priority by ensuring full partispation.
“Make sure you attend the workshop across the specified dates to absorb and utilize what the Workshop desires.
“Let me congratulate the Local Government Officials to be trained by the BPP hence you shall be accountable for all mistakes in their documentations as it affects Project Monitoring, Evaluations, Contract Awards, Tenders Board etc.
He appreciated the Abuja based firm Damita Consult Limited for taking a special interest in Taraba State over the years in the sphere of efficient training of our workforce.
“I wish to also recognize the premium role being played by the Director General BPP and his lieutenants in taking Procurement to the feats; towards ensuring theinstitutionalization ofethical standards and value for ourhard earned economy.
“On this note, I hereby declare open the 3 day workshop on Procurement Practices and Budget preparation in local Government in Taraba State – he declared.
In his remarks, the Director General, Bereau for Public Procurement BPP, Mr. Assemboh Shamaki, said that it is an indication that the policies engendered by the people’s Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas are on course and quite beneficial to the overall progress of Taraba state.
“Local government is the third tier of government and it is closest to the grass root populace, your knowledge about public procurement and operating by the rules cannot be over emphasized.
“Public Procurement is a process of acquiring Goods, Works and Services in a competitive, accountable and transparent way so as to obtain value for money. The Bureau of public procurement is saddled with the responsibility of directing Government spending as appropriated in your annual Budgets and your budget must reflex your spending, poor budget preparation is a hazard and needs to be addressed properly.
“Each of the 16 Local government and Development Areas have procurement officer to oversee your procurement activities.
“They are always available for your services. Visit the Bureau office always for advices and guidance, please.
“His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas deemed it necessary to equip the Local Government, and related critical stakeholders with tools for transparency and accountable administration that will meet the global best practice.
“You know more than I do that “ignorance is not an excuse in the law” so each minute you stay focused to the exposition of the material before you will be time invested wisely.
He appreciated the Governor for his magnanimity towards the Bureau of Public Procurement in Taraba State in every area of support and encouragement.
He also appreciate the Abuja-based Damita Consult for constantly being there and ready for us in areas of procurement trainings and sundry assignments.
“Last time in 2023, the session were quite explosive with topics such as essentials of procurement process mechanism, the application and implementation of Public Procurement Act, understanding the Taraba State Public Procurement law and the Role of ICPC in the fight against corruption and the promotion of ethics in Governance etc.
“This time around, issues of procurement practices will take center stage in Local Government Council.
“As we begin the ceremony, it is my earnest prayers that positive decorum would be maintained throughout the sessions of the workshop.
He seize the opportunity to advise all participants to take the workshop seriously.
“Make sure that all the session is fully attended so as to achieve the desired objectives of making the state a procurement compliance State – he said.