LASG demands professionalism from procurement officers

The Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Onafowote, on Wednesday, urged officers of the agency to abide by standard practice.

He stated that any procurement officer who lacked the requisite knowledge of procurement documents, rules, and procedures could be described as an impostor or a quack.

He spoke at the commencement of the 2024 Capacity Building Programme for Procurement Officers, which took place at The Zone, in Gbagada, Lagos.

Under the theme “Effective Use of Procurement Documents, Analysis, and Reporting,” the programme aimed to bolster the skills and knowledge of public sector procurement officers.

The event brought together procurement professionals from various government agencies and parastatals, providing an opportunity to share experiences and discuss best practices in procurement management.

Keynote speakers and facilitators addressed critical topics such as procurement planning, contract management, and financial reporting.

In his opening address, Onafowote emphasised that public procurement is guided by rules, processes, and procedures.

“A procurement officer who lacks the requisite knowledge of procurement documents, rules, and procedures can, therefore, be described as an impostor or a quack,” he said.

“But Lagos State has no room for impostors and quacks masquerading as procurement officers since only the best is good enough for the people of Lagos State,” he added.

He stressed the importance of effective procurement management in achieving good governance and sustainable development.

Adding that,“This programme is part of our broader efforts to enhance procurement processes, promote transparency and accountability within the public sector.”

In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, reminded procurement officers of their responsibility as stewards of government procurement.

He urged them to uphold transparency, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that procurement processes contribute to development rather than hinder it.

The Director of Monitoring, Enforcement, and Compliance at the Lagos State Procurement Agency, Bola Adeniran, lauded the state’s investment in the digitisation of procurement processes and the professional development of its personnel, noting that the efforts were yielding significant improvements in public service delivery.