PROCUREMENT OFFICERS CHARGED TO ENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF BUDGET
The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency has commenced its annual Procurement Planning Clinic for Year 2025 to review the Procurement Plans of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a view to ensuring that the Plans align with the goals and objectives spelt out in the approved budget of the State.
Addressing the participants at the opening ceremony of the two-day event which took place at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos, the Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdul Hafis Toriola, enjoined Procurement Officers to assist the State Government in ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of public resources at its disposal.
The Head of Service underscored the need for Procurement Officers to demonstrate a deep understanding and knowledge of the procurement profession and guide their Accounting Officers properly in the implementation of the approved budgets of their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Mr. Agoro commended the Agency for the laudable achievements it has made in entrenching the culture of due process in public procurement in the State and for maintaining its leading position, particularly in e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system in the country through the deployment of technology to public procurement.
He assured the Agency that the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration will continue to invest in the training and retraining of Public Officers in the Public Service of the State and also improve the working environment so that the State can continue to deliver goods and services to the people in a sustainable and efficient manner.
In his welcome address, the Director -General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, explained that the Procurement Planning Clinic offers MDAs of the State the opportunity to present their Procurement Plans before the Panel of Reviewers appointed by the Agency for necessary screening and review to ensure that the Plans conform with the approved budgets of the MDAs.
He noted that any correction or amendment proposed by the Panel of Reviewers are to be carried out by the Procurement Officers of MDAs concerned before the Plans are approved by the Agency and uploaded on the Agency’s portal.
He warned that Procurement Officers of MDAs that fail to secure the necessary approval of the Agency for their Procurement Plans and get the Plans uploaded on the Agency’s portal will not have their requests for approval instruments processed by the Agency.
‘’This year the Agency will have zero tolerance for non-compliance with all aspects of due process in public procurement by all MDAs of the State’’, the Director-General warned.
He highlighted the importance of submitting Procurement Plans for the Agency’s evaluation and approval. He highlighted the importance of having Procurement Plans, adding that the Procurement Plan is part of the measures designed to enhance transparency, accountability and effective execution of the State’s budget.
In their remarks at the occasion, the Permanent Secretaries, Office of Works, Arc. Adebayo Odusanya and his colleague in the Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, commended the Agency for its efforts in ensuring compliance and due process in procurement process. They, however, appealed to the Agency to work harder and make the process more seamless so that projects and services can be delivered faster by MDAs.
The Council Manager, Oshodi /Isolo Local Government Area of the State, Mrs. Iyabo Ogunyemi also said the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas were initially having challenges with in their public procurement, adding however, that with the relationship they have forged with the Agency, coupled with the support of the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Onafowote, the Councils have aligned their procurement process with the one being championed by the Agency.
She assured that despite the autonomy granted to the Local Governments in the country, Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the State will continue to ensure that their public procurement is in conformity with the law.
Oladapo Olatunde
Director, Public Affairs
Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.
Last modified: March 4, 2025
