Delta govt warns procurement officers against unlawful operations

Delta State government has urged public servants, contractors, and other relevant bodies that carry out procurement activities to operate within the confines of the law, or face the consequences.

Addressing journalists shortly after holding a crucial inaugural meeting on Thursday in Asaba, the State capital, Chairman of the Delta State Public Procurement Council, Mr. David Igbodo, hinted that various punishments await defaulting procurement officers and warned operators to comply with the procurement law to develop the state.

Igbodo said the Public Procurement Council had resolved to strengthen the existing legal and institutional framework of the state procurement laws with a view to enhancing the enforcement of the laws and guidelines.

According to him, the steps were taken to reaffirm the Council’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, prudence, and value for money in all procurement activities by relevant agencies, ministries, and commissions of the government, in line with the MORE agenda of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He said the council was saddled with the responsibility of making regulations on procurements for implementation by the State Public Procurement Commission.

“We also resolved on capacity building for stakeholders. There is a need to build capacity around procurement officers in the state, and that is very, very vital. We took a decision on how we are going to get funds to enhance capacity training for our members. We also need to leverage technology. You know there is an e-procurement platform that is domiciled in the public procurement commission.

“Currently, the e-procurement platform is facing some challenges, but we resolved to make sure that the e-procurement platform is up and running in the next few weeks.

“Because the issue of accountability, transparency, and value for money is one of the key reasons why the Delta State Public Procurement Law was enacted. So we took a decision on how we can promote it and enhance that transparency.

“So the council is very willing and ready to promote accountability and transparency. We are also willing to engage with the public and other stakeholders on how to make sure we have feedback,” he stressed.