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The Rivers State government said it would eliminate over-bloated contracts and ensure value for money to establish transparency and accountability in the procurement process.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, after a meeting with staff members of the Bureau.
Emphasizing the importance of procurement in driving the development of the state, Oko-Jaja said it is a task that must be done, saying that to achieve the goal, the board has established a price intelligence department to monitor and regulate contract prices, ensuring they align with market research and are within acceptable thresholds.
He further said its monitoring and intelligence department will also be tasked with ensuring contractors deliver on their promises, preventing the use of substandard materials and avoiding costly project failures.
Oko-Jaja highlighted the board’s commitment to support the state governor’s mantra of ‘Rivers First,’ ensuring that programmes and policies are implemented efficiently and effectively with the ultimate goal of benefiting the people of Rivers State.
He said, “Procurement is now a global issue, and without a proper procurement plan, the state, the nation or even the world at large cannot move forward.
“We want to ensure that there is value for money and that the state government gets the best possible services and products at the best price.
“We want to ensure that the procurement process is done in such a manner that it’s not over bloated, that the contract being awarded is not over bloated, that what we can use to do one job is actually what it is and not be used to do no job at all or used even to align pocket.
“That is why procurement is important; it is at this office that you begin to look at whether there is quality in what the contractors are going to present.”
Reaffirming the board’s commitment to transparency and accountability following a maiden meeting between the Board and staff members, Oko-Jaja said interactive sessions are germane in promoting a culture of responsibility among staff.
He explained that the interactive session marked a significant departure from the norm, as staff members were, for the first time, apprised of the Board’s policy decisions and expectations, pointing out that the new approach would foster a sense of accountability among staff, as each department would be held responsible for its actions.
The Chairman of the Bureau assured Rivers people that the agency would uphold the principles of transparency and accountability, in line with Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s mantra of putting ‘Rivers First.’
He further emphasized that the Bureau’s primary goal is to ensure that all its activities benefit the people of Rivers State and those doing business in the state.
The move, Oko-Jaja said, is expected to save the state government significant funds, which can be channelled into other critical projects, and promote a culture of transparency and accountability in the procurement process.
