Institute tasks government, others on procurement, supply chain management

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management (CIPSM) of Nigeria’s mandatory proficiency programme has witnessed a high turnout of members, having seen the importance of upgrading in the practice of their profession.

According to the institute, the concept of ‘procurement and supply chain management’ is much discussed and generally misunderstood. A good deal of this confusion comes from not understanding its principles, practice or the unit of analysis and indeed not considering what procurement and supply chain management is all about.

Most of the sector’s specialists tend to think of a procurement and supply chain management function as an administrative job that anybody with a degree even in theology can perform.

Generally speaking, people are ill-informed, misinformed or uninformed of the essential role of procurement and supply chain management in the business world. This is because, some of them believe that procurement and supply chain management as a profession cannot stand the test of time. Their argument goes further to say that the procurement profession will soon die a natural death and will not be relevant in operations management in the future. How true is this statement in an area which controls the largest percentage of expenditures of any firm or budget of any nation?

Speaking at the event, Alhaji M.J. Aliyu, said he thinks the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has a special role to play in getting others to understand the importance of procurement and supply chain management in Nigeria.

He said: “She needs to realize that inadequate resources have forced so many organizations to close shop due to mismanagement of materials and supplies by non-professionals saddled with the responsibility. I am of the view that, they can create a new synergy between the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria for better understanding and benefits to our country.”

Aliyu said procurement and supply chain management concept if critically analysed and objectively assessed based on its contributions to national development and capacity building is as dynamic as the social, technology, environment and political systems.

Arising from this, therefore, it is utmost necessary for the profession to be given the pride of place in the scheme of service of this country for better investment priorities and delivery of dividends of democracy, he stressed.

On several occasions, based on the negative suggestions and comments usually coming from the various Heads of service of states at any time the meeting of the National Council on Establishment is called, he said.

It shows that, they are far from the ideals and lack thorough knowledge about this dynamic and specialised field of study that controls the largest percentage (in some cases 70%-80%) of total expenditures of firms or budget of any government, he added.