By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Kwara Government has trained 128 participants across the 16 Local Government Area on public procurement and accountability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the State organized a two-day training workshop on the application of the Kwara State Public Procurement Law 2018 (as amended).
The training was organised by the Kwara State Public Procurement Agency (PPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development.
Participants includes local government chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and other principal officers in the state.
In his welcome address, the General Manager and Chief Executive of PPA, Alhaji Raheem Abdulbaki, said the Kwara government is committed to transparency, accountability in public procurement.
“The government is committed to transparency, accountability, and value for money in public procurement as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen good governance and fiscal discipline across all levels of administration,” he said.
He said the training is to guide participants through best practices in procurement systems.
Abdulbaki emphasized innovation, ethical conduct, and compliance with due process to strengthen public confidence and promote sustainable development.
The general manager of the agency stated that the training was designed to enhance participants’ understanding of procurement planning, bidding processes, contract management, and performance evaluation.
“Procurement remains one of the most critical instruments for good governance and sustainable development,” he said.
Abdulbaki reaffirm the Agency’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity to promote fairness, efficiency, and professionalism in public procurement.
He cautioned officials against violating the law, while stressing that Section 75 of the Kwara State Public Procurement Law 2018 (as amended) clearly outlines sanctions for non-compliance.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Mr. Abubakar Bata described the training as another significant step in promoting good governance at the grassroots level.
He noted that procurement remains a vital tool through which government delivers essential services and stimulates the local economy.
“Government is constantly in the business of buying and spends a significant portion of its revenue on the procurement of goods and services.
“Procurement is also one way in which government interfaces with the people and reinflate its domestic economy,” he stated,” he said.
The Commissioner urged participants to be accountable and ensure that public funds are managed judiciously.
He emphasized that every procurement process must be transparent, equitable, and in line with due process.
He further reminded participants that the Public Procurement Law mandates all procuring entities to establish procurement offices responsible for initiating procurement processes.
This, he said, includes conducting market surveys, and preparing cost analyses for proposed procurements.
Also speaking, the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Command, Mr. Daniel Isei, urged participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained from the training.
He stressed that accountability and compliance are essential to credible public service.