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The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, has called for a significant reduction in human interference in the process and implementation of public procurement.
The NCAA boss made this call on Thursday at a one-day symposium on public procurement, focusing on due process in Nigeria and global best practices, held in Lagos.
While highlighting the importance of proper procurement in the development of the aviation industry, Najomo stated that procurement decisions impact every critical aspect of the sector, including airport infrastructure, operational efficiency, and safety regulations.
He stressed that for a successful government and a thriving aviation sector, procurement practices must eliminate waste, curb corruption, and ensure value for money.
He said, “Public procurement is at the core of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility. In the aviation sector, procurement decisions affect airport infrastructure, air navigation services, safety regulations, and operational efficiency.
“If done correctly, procurement has the power to attract investment, enhance aviation service delivery, and maximise revenue for the nation.
“E-procurement and digitalisation are essential to minimising human interference and enhancing transparency.”
He added, “In line with this, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and
Aerospace Development’s Five-Point Agenda provides a clear roadmap for the sector’s transformation, with optimising revenue generation for the Federal Government as a major priority.
“For this goal to be realised, procurement practices must eliminate waste, curb corruption, and ensure value for money, ultimately leading to increased government revenue and improved service delivery.”
Najomo further urged industry experts and stakeholders to embrace a procurement system that eliminates leakages and any form of corruption.
“To support Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Honourable Minister’s Five-Point Agenda, we must adopt a procurement system that reduces financial leakages by enforcing strict compliance with due process, encourages competition and fair bidding to attract credible investors, ensures cost-effective contracts that maximise public funds for aviation development, and strengthens public-private partnerships to drive efficiency and boost revenue generation.
“As a regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority fully aligns with these principles to promote efficiency, prevent financial mismanagement, and ensure compliance with national policies,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Corporate Services, Dr Rebecca Aghadinazu, emphasised the importance of a new initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the procurement process.
She noted that the programme is specifically designed to address structural and capacity challenges within the procurement system, ensuring the effective implementation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
Dr Rebecca identified a critical issue of delays in the timely initiation of procurement processes for capital projects each fiscal year, often linked to a lack of understanding of the Bureau of Public Procurement-approved process by various stakeholders.
She explained that the Procurement Department, under the Directorate of Corporate Services, has faced significant criticism for these delays, despite the responsibility often lying with user departments that fail to fulfil their roles effectively.
“In addition, there have been situations where the Procurement Department has been blamed for the alleged procurement of inferior goods when, in reality, the user department certifies the goods procured for their use, not the Procurement Department,” she said.
Given the strategic significance of procurement activities to the Authority, she stressed the educating and sensitising all Directorates, Departments, and Units about their roles in the procurement cycle to ensure optimal results.
“It is important to note that procured goods, works, and services constitute a significant portion of expenditure in any organisation. To achieve efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money, all staff of the Authority require the acquisition of relevant skills through proper awareness and sensitisation,” she stated.
