The Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBPP) has taken a major step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in public spending with the launch of the first phase of its e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

The initiative, according to the Bureau, is designed to modernise procurement processes across the state in line with global best practices in digital governance.

The e-GP portal was officially launched on Tuesday at the ICT Training Room of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Waterlines House, Aba Road, Port Harcourt. The exercise marked the operationalisation of the e-Procurement Planning Module, which will now be used by all Procuring Entities (PEs) in the state, including ministries, departments, agencies, and local government councils.

The project is being implemented pursuant to the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008 and received the backing of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose administration has prioritised reforms aimed at strengthening institutional governance and public sector accountability.

Officials said the digital procurement platform aligns the state’s procurement framework with international standards on openness, efficiency, and value for money.

Procurement directors and officers drawn from various public institutions across the state participated in the launch and training programme. Attendees included officers responsible for procurement functions in ministries, departments, agencies, and local governments, reflecting the state government’s plan to ensure system-wide adoption of the platform.

Activities at the event included detailed training on procurement planning, live demonstrations on how to prepare procurement plans electronically, and hands-on sessions on submitting procurement plans through the e-GP portal.

Approving officers—such as permanent secretaries, managing directors, and heads of local government administration—were formally onboarded alongside procurement directors and officers. Participants also conducted a joint test run of the system in collaboration with officials of the Bureau, followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Director-General of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Engr. Dr. Mrs. Ine Tamunoiprinye E. Briggs, said the digitisation of the procurement process would significantly improve efficiency and oversight.
According to her, the e-GP system will allow seamless access to procurement information, improve implementation timelines, and ensure proper archiving and retrieval of records by all stakeholders involved in public procurement.

She explained that the Bureau plans to gradually roll out additional e-Government Procurement modules through its Procurement Database Management Information System (PMIS), with the ultimate goal of creating an integrated, transparent, and fully digital procurement ecosystem in Rivers State.

The launch of the e-GP portal is expected to enhance public confidence in the state’s procurement processes, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and support the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.