Abuja: Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General (D-G) of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has urged procurement officers in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strictly adhere to established procurement principles. The D-G gave the advice following a stakeholders' meeting on the effective implementation of procurement policy, in line with the newly revised service-wide prior review and monetary thresholds. He emphasised that every procurement officer would be held accountable for wrongful practices, stressing that compliance with due process was essential for economic growth and national development.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adedokun explained that the purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness on the implementation of current procurement policies. He added that it was also to chart a path forward for the procurement cadre in alignment with the 'Renewed Hope Agenda' of President Bola Tinubu's administration. The BPP, as a regulatory body, will henceforth enforce Open Competitive Bidding as the default procurement method. New guidelines will be issued for the proper use of restricted tendering, direct procurement, direct labour, and emergency procurement methods.

Adedokun stated that the BPP was responsible for harmonising all government procurement policies and practices and would provide guidance on the implementation of revised thresholds to prevent abuse. MDAs will now be required to submit quarterly procurement progress reports for joint monitoring by the BPP and the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit. MDAs are also to adopt the revised standard bidding documents for all procurement activities under the new thresholds and collaborate with stakeholders and investigative agencies to enhance audit and compliance measures.

The D-G stressed that the 14-day standstill period must be observed, and monthly publications of all contract award details must be made available on both the procuring entity's website and the BPP's platform. He urged ministries, extra-ministerial bodies, parastatals, agencies, and government-owned companies to strictly follow procurement timelines for effective and timely budget execution. Adedokun further clarified that the posting of procurement officers to MDAs would now be managed solely by the bureau and warned against lobbying for preferred postings.

He cautioned that sanctions would be applied to any individuals who violated procurement guidelines and principles. The D-G assured stakeholders that the bureau remained committed to providing necessary support, including capacity building and prompt resolution of challenges faced in the line of duty. He concluded by stating that the BPP would continue stakeholder engagements at various levels and looked forward to further interaction with procurement officers, civil society organisations, and media professionals.