The Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBOPP) has embarked on a training session for local government staff to promote transparency and accountability in public procurement at the grassroots level.

According to the Acting Director-General of RSBOPP, Dr Inie Briggs, the initiative aimed to enhance the understanding and implementation of public procurement laws and regulations at the local level.

She pointed out that it is a crucial initiative in ensuring that public resources are utilized efficiently.

Briggs emphasized the importance of building capacity for staff to be well-equipped to guide the new leadership on public procurement best practices.

Briggs said the training comes at an opportune time, with new local government executives set to assume office after the October 5 local council polls.

She said “Efficient public procurement can save governments up to 30% of their annual procurement costs. This sentiment is echoed by various studies, including the World Bank’s report, which highlights the potential for significant cost savings through efficient public procurement.”

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She stressed that public procurement accounts for a significant share of global GDP, around 12% to 15%, underscoring the potential for significant cost savings.

Briggs, however, noted that the training session was timely, considering the challenges associated with public procurement in Nigeria, while arguing that Inefficient public procurement practices can reduce a country’s GDP by 2% annually, while also increasing project costs by 20-30% due to corruption, delays, and mismanagement.

She added: “By adopting efficient public procurement practices, local governments can unlock significant benefits, including cost savings, improved transparency, and increased efficiency.

“Public procurement can have far-reaching consequences on various aspects of a nation’s development.”

One of the participants of the training, Wokogba Love from Okrika LGA, said the training was an eye-opener because she had understood what the regulation stipulates especially the threshold with which the council can carry out procurement without coming down to the Bureau until 30 days from mobilizing the contractor.