KEY POINTS

• The BPP DG is willing to present Lagos-Calabar procurement documents.
• These are ambitious reforms that seek to be transparent, automated and inclusive as they are designed to.
• Partnerships against corruption to make public procurement more accountable.

Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has said he would cooperate with investigators on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

Dr. Adedokun who spoke during a press conference in Abuja said he would present the procurement documents of the project whenever he is called upon by investigators.

“On the Lagos-Calabar Road, I’m sure you’ve heard in the news.” “I can’t really speak about it much because it’s in court,” he said.

“I’ve gone through the documents and I’m ready to answer questions and present the documents to relevant bodies but,” he said.

Adedokun’s vision for efficient and transparent procurement

Dr Adedokun promised sweeping reforms to reorder procurement processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Key measures include:

– 21-day turnaround for procurement approvals: It also set DG a maximum period of 21 days for processing procurement applications in a bid to eliminate unnecessary delays.
– Electronic Procurement System: E -procurement to be deployed for improving cost efficiency and transparency in.
– Affirmative Procurement: Public contracts to empower women, youth and also persons with disabilities.
– Price Intelligence and Benchmarking: Regular updates to represent fair pricing in public procurement.
– Partnerships with Anti-Corruption Bodies:ICPC, CSOs, collaboration to further enhance accountability.

Dr. Adedokun described the need for sanctions for bad conduct and incentives for good conduct in public procurement. He however stated that reports of individuals found culpable of abuse of office have been sent to Code of Conduct Bureau and ICPC for further action.

Key priorities for 2025:

• Through the use of automation and also transparency technology.
• Organising procurement audits and periodic reports to the Presidency.
• Training government officials and stakeholders as a means of helping government to be more compliant, efficient and effective in delivering services to citizens.

“The backbone of government workings is functional public procurement,” Adedokun said. “We are seeking through transparency, competence, and innovation, to reposition the BPP as a catalyst to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. By ensuring that every kobo spent is returned at minimum value to the society.”