KW-PPA Trains Top Civil Servants on Procurement Processes, Record Keeping

The Kwara State Public Procurement Agency ( KW-PPA) has organized a one-day training for dozens of top civil servants across all government establishments in the State on public procurement processes and effective records keeping as part of efforts to improve efficiency in the service. 

The training specifically featured directors, controllers of finance and accounts (CFAs); planning officers; and procurement officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). 

Speaking at the programme, the General Manager of the Agency, QS Raheem Abdulbaki, who trained the participants at the session, said they organized the programme for such categories of civil servants to guide them on some of the procedures needed while engaging in procurement activities in their respective offices.

QS Abdulbaki defined procurement processes as important steps, which organizations or procuring entities are expected to adhere to while engaging in any procurement activities.

“This training is designed to simplify and enhance your better understanding of the processes and procedures of procurement and proper record keeping with a view to entrenching more effective and efficient service delivery in the State,” the General Manager said in Ilorin on Wednesday at the conference room of the Kwara State Library, the venue of the training.

According to him, “It is the process any government establishments are to use to find and obtain works, goods and services. It involves identifying the needs, evaluating vendors and awarding contracts.”

He harped on the importance of an organization or procuring entity to, first and foremost, identify the needs for such contracts, and evaluate the vendors by insisting on eligibility criteria, before proceeding to award the contracts.

Relying on some provisions of the State public procurement laws, the General Manager said it was mandatory for contractors, suppliers or service providers to register their firms with the Agency and in the appropriate category, before they could bid for contracts.

QS Abdulbaki charged participants to always be diligent professionals, who work  without fear or favour, particularly in the activities  involving award of contracts.

He also spoke on how  unhealthy relationships among key officers in MDAs undermined the procurement processes, and called for an improved inter and intra working relationships in the State civil service.

In his remarks, the Secretary of the Agency, Mallam Muazu Shaaba commended the trainees for their active participation, expressing hope that the knowledge they have acquired would be put to good use, for the betterment of the service.

Some of the participants, who spoke at the session, appreciated the government for deeming it fit to equip them with basic requirements in respect of the procurement processes.

Muinat Abdulkadir 

Press Secretary 

KW-PPA 

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