 Kwara State Public Procurement Agency (KW-PPA) has organized a one-day training for dozens of top civil servants across all government establishments in the State on public procurement processes and effective records keeping as part of efforts to improve efficiency in the service.
The training specifically featured directors, controllers of finance and accounts (CFAs); planning officers; and procurement officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The training took place at the conference room of the Kwara State Library Board, Ilorin
Speaking at the programme, the General Manager of the Agency, QS Raheem Abdulbaki, who trained the participants at the session, said they organized the programme for such categories of civil servants to guide them on some of the procedures needed while engaging in procurement activities in their respective offices.
QS Abdulbaki identified procurement processes as important steps organizations or procuring entities are expected to adhere to while engaging in any procurement activities.
According to him, this training is designed to simplify and enhance better understanding of the processes and procedures of procurement and proper record keeping with a view to entrenching more effective and efficient service delivery in the State.
He pointed out that It is the process any government establishments are to use to find and obtain works, goods and services particularly involves identifying the needs, evaluating vendors and awarding contracts.
QS Abdulbaki harped on the importance of an organization or procuring entity to first identify the needs for such contracts, and evaluate the vendors by insisting on eligibility criteria, before proceeding to award the contracts.
Relying on some provisions of the State public procurement laws, the General Manager said it is mandatory for contractors, suppliers or service providers to register their firms with the Agency and in the appropriate category, before they could bid for contracts.
QS Abdulbaki charged participants to always be diligent professionals, who work without fear or favour, particularly in the activities involving award of contracts.
He also spoke on how unhealthy relationships among key officers in MDAs undermined the procurement processes, and called for an improved inter and intra working relationships in the State civil service.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Agency, Mallam Muazu Shaaba commended the trainees for their active participation.
Mallam Shaaba expressed the hope that the knowledge acquired would be put to use, for the betterment of the service.
Some of the participants, who spoke at the session, appreciated the government for equipping them with basic requirements in respect of the procurement processes.
