The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has issued a stern warning to procurement officers within the public sector, cautioning them against obstructing ongoing reforms in procurement processes, with the threat of sanctions for non-compliance.
Adebowale Adedokun, the Director-General of BPP, conveyed this message through a statement released by Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations at BPP, in Abuja on Monday.
The announcement followed a strategic gathering held in Abuja, which brought together Procurement Officers ranked from Grade Levels 08 to 14 under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
In his keynote address titled “Driving Excellence through Transparency, Compliance, and Efficiency,” Adedokun underscored the bureau’s commitment to fostering a procurement system in Nigeria that is transparent, accountable, efficient, and advantageous to all citizens.
He declared that moving forward, any procurement officer found misleading their chief executives regarding procurement procedures would face disciplinary actions.
Additionally, procurement officers who engage in lobbying to secure postings will be barred from being assigned to the agencies they sought.
Adedokun also revealed that the bureau intends to recommend the suspension of salaries for procurement officers who fail to report to their designated offices.
Furthermore, delays in processing official procurement documents will attract sanctions in accordance with public service regulations.
However, the Director-General assured that procurement officers who perform their duties with professionalism will receive full support from the BPP.
“Those officers are encouraged to bring any challenges they encounter to the bureau for assessment and resolution,” he affirmed.
Adedokun reiterated the bureau’s dedication to enhancing transparency, compliance, and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s public procurement framework.
He highlighted the bureau’s adherence to the 21-day timeframe mandated by the Public Procurement Act of 2007 for resolving contractor complaints.
“The BPP is obligated to review complaints, deliver written decisions within 21 working days of receipt, and specify corrective measures, reasons for rejection, or remedies granted,” he explained.
The Director-General also announced initiatives to optimize approval workflows, standardize procurement documentation, and implement automation to guarantee prompt and transparent decision-making.
He reaffirmed the BPP’s pivotal role in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu, which focuses on enhancing governance, accountability, and service delivery.
The meeting’s agenda centered on the rollout of updated procurement guidelines, revised monetary thresholds applicable across services, and other elements integral to the ongoing reform efforts.
Adedokun pledged to institutionalize such meetings regularly and indicated plans to convene sessions with procurement officers from various procuring entities in the near future.
The session concluded with a strong appeal to all procurement professionals to maintain high ethical standards, adopt innovative practices, and commit wholeheartedly to national progress through transparent and efficient service delivery.