Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
In a renewed push to strengthen the link between public procurement accountability and effective public service delivery, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has charged Federal Permanent Secretaries to provide strategic leadership in the procurement processes, stressing that efficient, transparent and accountable procurement is indispensable to effective budget execution and national development. This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Eno Olotu, FCAI, mnipr, Director, Press, and Public Relations.
Speaking at the opening of the Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries, organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Walson-Jack described procurement as the critical link between policy, budgeting and service delivery. She noted that effective procurement translates government priorities into tangible development outcomes and citizens access to essential public services.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Procurement Leadership and Accountability for Effective Budget Execution and National Development,” brings together Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Procurement and other stakeholders to strengthen procurement governance and address challenges affecting public sector performance.
The HCSF reminded Accounting Officers of their statutory responsibility to uphold transparency, competition, efficiency and value for money in line with the Public Procurement Act and other extant regulations. She stressed that innovation, including public-private partnerships and alternative financing models, must always be guided by due process and accountability.
Emphasising the human impact of procurement decisions, Mrs. Walson-Jack noted that every procurement process ultimately affects citizens awaiting critical infrastructure and essential public services. She urged participants to use the retreat to exchange practical ideas and develop actionable strategies that will improve procurement outcomes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Declaring the retreat open, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, represented by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, commended the BPP for advancing procurement reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including revised procurement thresholds, the “Nigeria First” policy and the establishment of zonal offices.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, welcomed participants and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to infrastructure development, fiscal discipline and people-centred governance under the ARISE Agenda.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun in his welcome address, highlighted ongoing procurement reforms, including the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) platform, contractor classification and the “Nigeria First” policy. He disclosed that the reforms had generated significant savings for the Federal Government while strengthening transparency, efficiency and accountability.
Participants are expected to adopt practical strategies and reinforce their commitment to strengthening procurement leadership, accountability and effective budget execution across the Federal Public Service.
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