News Investigators/ Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General (D-G), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has charged newly deployed Procurement Officers on Salary Grade Levels 15 to 17 to uphold compliance and operational excellence.
Mr Adebowale gave the charge in a statement by Zira Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations, BPP, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He spoke during an online orientation programme for officers posted to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on March 31.
He also charged the officers with contributing to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The D-G said that the virtual meeting was designed to reduce turnaround time in procurement processes, in line with the president’s directive to continuously deploy technology and enhance service delivery and national development.
According to him, the session also served as a strategic alignment platform aimed at defining a clear roadmap for the procurement sector.
The BPP boss said that the recent redeployment of procurement officers was not punitive, but a deliberate effort to inject fresh energy, enhance skills and strengthen the integrity of procurement processes across government institutions.
He urged the officers to report to their new duty posts immediately, warning that excuses would not be tolerated, while also stressing the need for proper handover and effective communication with their teams.
Mr Adedokun decried the practice of superiors relocating with their subordinates to new postings, noting that stability in postings promotes continuity, accountability and preservation of institutional memory.
He reminded the officers that postings were routine exercises that must be conducted professionally, especially through the use of technology, in line with ongoing efforts to reposition the procurement cadre.
The D-G said that procurement officers played a critical role in the actualisation of government policies and programmes, urging them to implement procurement plans effectively, anticipate bottlenecks and adopt framework agreements for faster service delivery.
He also stressed the importance of delivering quality infrastructure by balancing cost efficiency with high standards.
On economic development, Mr Adedokun reiterated the significance of the Nigeria First Policy, calling on MDAs to prioritise local content and support indigenous businesses to create jobs and stabilise the economy.
He said that MDAs had been directed to procure only Nigeria-assembled vehicles in line with the policy.
He further underscored directives from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, cautioning procurement officers against awarding contracts without cash backing.
“The era of contractors holding on to unfunded contracts, leading to abandoned projects and litigation, must end,” he said.
Mr Adedokun called for strict adherence to reporting requirements, including the timely submission of monthly and quarterly reports on contract awards and implementation.
He said that the Federal Executive Council had mandated MDAs to publish monthly contract awards and quarterly performance reports on their websites, with copies forwarded to the BPP website.
He stressed the need for transparency, accountability and restoration of public trust in procurement processes.
The BPP boss also emphasised the transition to digital processes, declaring that manual submissions were no longer acceptable.
“All procurement directors and accounting officers must register on the e-submission platform in line with the Federal Government’s e-governance initiative,” he said.
On contract variations, Mr Adedokun said that all variations must be exceptional, properly justified and approved by the BPP in accordance with established thresholds.
He said that only certified procurement officers recognised by the bureau would henceforth be allowed to manage procurement activities.
Mr Adedokun highlighted the National Procurement Officers Monitoring System (NAPOMS) as a key performance tracking tool, directing officers to regularly update their records on the platform.
He also advocated continuous capacity building, urging MDAs to organise regular training for procurement personnel and encouraging practitioners to obtain relevant certifications.
He said that the bureau would strictly enforce its debarment policy against any contractor, consultant or officer involved in fraud, collusion or persistent non-compliance.
According to him, the debarment list will be published to serve as a deterrent.
In his remarks, the Director, Civil Infrastructure Department, Nasir Bello, commended the virtual orientation, describing it as a step forward in the digital transformation of procurement processes.
Mr Bello urged procurement officers to embrace ongoing reforms and familiarise themselves with the newly revised standard bidding documents.
NAN