Date: 2021-05-20

As part of its efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and probity in the public procurement system, the Kwara State Government has organized a capacity building training on e-procurement system for procurement officials in government ministries, agencies and parastatas.

NATIONAL ACCORD reports that about 250 procurement officials and heads of government ministries, agencies and parastatas participated in the capacity building training exercise, which was held on Wednesday in Ilorin.

Stakeholders who spoke at the capacity building training exercise, described the state government's to adopt e-procurement system as a right step in a right direction.

The Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Kwara State chapter, Engr Temitope Odetoye, described the adoption of e-procurement system as a giant step towards achieving transparency and accountability in the public procurement system.

She said "this is one of the ways to ensure that the Presidential Executive Order 5 is fully implemented which has to do with procuring authorities with specific reference to indigenous professionals so that we are given the preference".

"This step will also promote local contents and economic activities of Kwarans. So, on behalf of other professional bodies here present, we appreciate the government for this laudable step".

In his remark, Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architect, Kwara State branch, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemo, said with the adoption of e-procurement system, Kwara is setting a pace for others to follow.

He added that even at the federal level, government has yet to fully adopt e-procurement system at the Bureau of Public Procurement at the federal level.

Also speaking, The Chairman of the State's Chapter of The Nigeria Institute of Builders, Omokanye Raphael, appreciated the government for what he described as laudable initiave.

"We are so grateful for being part of this programme today because the impacts of professional bodies would be felt in the scheme of things", he said.

The Chairman, Kwara State Indigenous Contractors, Alhaji Idris Alaya described the step to adopt e-procurement system as first of its kind in the history of the state.

He noted that the process would lead to transparency in the public procurement system.

Alaya however urged the government to always patronise indigenous contractors.

The Head of Service, Kwara State, Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole described the programme as a way of ensuring that everyone participates in the transparent process.

She said Kwara is known to be a civil service state, adding that "If we are going to continue to be a state and a state indeed, we all have to work together to change the narrative".

While describing the programme as a major step in building investment friendly state, she observed that it is a very component of ease of doing business strategy of the present administration.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Alhaji Folohunso abdulrazaq said the step was to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in the public procurement system.

He said adoption of e-procurement system was to meet with current global best practices in the public procurement especially as it relates to transparency in the financial transactions.

He urged all the participants to be attentive and take the training and capacity building very serious because it is next level in the entire state.

General Manager of Kwara State Procurement Agency, QS Raheem Abdulbaki said e-procurement project is designed to sustainably increase the participation and volume of business activities conducted via the internet.

He added that public procurement law is intended to ensure competitiveness and value for money predicated on probity, accountability and transparency.

According to him, in the conduct of the State Public Procurement System, e-procurement increases productivity and transparency while reducing costs.