Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General (D-G) of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has urged procurement officers in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strictly adhere to established procurement principles.
Mr Adedokun made this known in a statement released on Thursday by Zira Nagga, BPP’s Head of Public Relations.
The D-G gave the advice following a stakeholders’ meeting on the effective implementation of procurement policy, in line with the newly revised service-wide prior review and monetary thresholds.
He emphasised that every procurement officer would be held accountable for wrongful practices, stressing that compliance with due process was essential for economic growth and national development.
“The biggest protection for procurement officers is for them to do the right thing.
“They will be protected because rightful procurement guarantees economic and national growth, and benefits posterity,” Adedokun said.
He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness on the implementation of current procurement policies.
He added that it was also to chart a path forward for the procurement cadre in alignment with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, the BPP, as a regulatory body, will henceforth enforce Open Competitive Bidding as the default procurement method.
He added that the bureau would issue new guidelines for the proper use of restricted tendering, direct procurement, direct labour, and emergency procurement methods.
“The bureau will also focus more on procurement reviews, audits, surveillance, and monitoring, including virtual tenders board meetings,” he said.
Mr Adedokun stated that the BPP was responsible for harmonising all government procurement policies and practices and would provide guidance on the implementation of revised thresholds to prevent abuse.
He disclosed that MDAs would now be required to submit quarterly procurement progress reports for joint monitoring by the BPP and the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit.
He said MDAs were also to adopt the revised standard bidding documents for all procurement activities under the new thresholds and collaborate with stakeholders and investigative agencies to enhance audit and compliance measures.
The D-G stressed that the 14-day standstill period must be observed, and monthly publications of all contract award details must be made available on both the procuring entity’s website and the BPP’s platform.
He urged ministries, extra-ministerial bodies, parastatals, agencies, and government-owned companies to strictly follow procurement timelines for effective and timely budget execution.
Mr Adedokun further clarified that the posting of procurement officers to MDAs would now be managed solely by the bureau.
He warned against lobbying for preferred postings.
“The movement of procurement directors and heads of procurement, along with their preferred subordinates, after posting should be discontinued.
“All officers deserve equal opportunities to grow within the service,” he added.
He cautioned that sanctions would be applied to any individuals who violated procurement guidelines and principles.
The D-G assured stakeholders that the bureau remained committed to providing necessary support, including capacity building and prompt resolution of challenges faced in the line of duty.
He ended by saying that the BPP would continue stakeholder engagements at various levels and looked forward to further interaction with procurement officers, civil society organisations, and media professionals.
NAN
