Thediggernews
abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) says it is committed to upholding ethical standards and integrity in public procurement by promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency for national advancement and transformation.
Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General (D-G), BPP, said this in a statement issued by Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations at BPP in Abuja on Friday.
According to the statement, Adedokun spoke during a courtesy visit by a Nigerian Navy Logistics College delegation in Kano.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining the highest ethical standard in procurement processes.
He said that the visit, which aimed to collaborate with the bureau on capacity building and training naval officers on proper procurement processes, was timely.
The D-G said BPP was ready to work collaboratively with the Nigerian Navy to ensure the defence sector was adequately trained and certified in public procurement.
“If defence procurement is done rightly, it will maximise opportunity cost, scale of preference and professionalism.
“If the defence procurement is taken seriously, it will significantly impact the nation’s security, in the sense that procured equipment and ammunition will be of higher grade and well managed.
“Properly trained procurement officers in the military will easily detect inferior equipment when it is procured and can negotiate on quality equipment.
“There will be a drastic reduction in the current security challenges, and it will also reduce poverty,” he said.
Adedokun suggested various training packages for the college and urged the management to access the Nigeria Procurement Certification Portal, a centralised digital platform for the training, assessment, and certification of procurement professionals.
According to him, the Villa project will be revisited in the long run, as the Navy is already leading the charge in terms of compliance.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Logistics College in Kano, pledged to collaborate with the BPP on procurement training.
Anakwe said that the initiative would allow officers to become certified in public procurement and empower them to reach their full potential.
He said that the Nigerian Logistics College was established in 2022 primarily to train Nigerian Navy Logistics Personnel to enhance their knowledge and skills and become professionals in military logistics.
“The bureau’s collaboration with the Navy will strengthen and support the Navy’s initiative to build capacity for the best procurement practice in the military.
“Nigerian Navy Logistics College is set to work out modalities and harmonise its training logistics with BPP for effective capacity building.
“This is to ensure that the procurement cadre in the Navy is fully trained and certified,” he said.
