4th December, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), Fatai Onafowote, on Wednesday 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. Participants engaged in interactive sessions and group discussions, fostering networking and collaboration.
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.
He explained that the programme was designed to further strengthen the capacity of procurement officers across the state’s MDAs, thereby improving service delivery.
“The programme is part of our broader efforts to enhance procurement processes, promoting transparency and accountability within the public sector,” Onafowote said.
“This year’s focus on the effective use of procurement documents, analysis, and reporting underscores the crucial role these elements play in public procurement,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Bode Agoro, the Lagos State Head of Service, 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 contributed to development rather than hindered it.
Mrs. Bola Adeniran, Director of Monitoring, Enforcement, and Compliance at the Lagos State Procurement Agency, praised the state’s ongoing investment in the digitalisation of procurement processes and the professional development of its personnel, noting that these efforts were yielding significant improvements in public service delivery.
She encouraged participants to leverage the training opportunities to advance their careers.
