The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act, declaring that adherence to due process remains central to ensuring transparency, accountability and value for money in project execution across the Niger Delta.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop on public procurement for the Commission’s executive management and directors in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the training was designed to deepen the understanding of procurement procedures among senior officials and strengthen institutional governance.
Ogbuku said the Commission had taken significant steps to reform its procurement system, including the digitisation of contract award letters to eliminate the circulation of fake documents that had previously exposed directors and contractors to investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He noted that the introduction of an electronic procurement (E-procurement) system was part of broader efforts to curb corruption, improve accountability and eliminate delays associated with manual procurement processes.
According to him, the Commission has reached a stage where strict compliance with government policies and procurement regulations is essential to achieving sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
The NDDC chief executive urged directors to ensure that all procurement requests align with approved procurement plans and annual budget provisions, stressing that procurement decisions must be guided by the region’s needs assessment.
He also advised management staff to develop a sound understanding of procurement procedures and subject vendors’ proposals to rigorous scrutiny in line with established priorities and due process requirements.
Ogbuku further called for prudence and selflessness in the management of public resources, describing sacrifice and accountability as indispensable qualities in public service.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, underscored the importance of continuous capacity building for public officials entrusted with the management of government funds.
Also speaking, the Director of Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji, said the training was organised to strengthen the knowledge, skills and competencies of procurement professionals, project managers, finance officers and other stakeholders involved in the procurement value chain.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to investing in capacity development initiatives that promote integrity, transparency and professionalism while enhancing service delivery and good governance.
Delivering an overview of public procurement in Nigeria, the pioneer Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Engr. Emeka Eze, observed that procurement systems are designed primarily to prevent corruption rather than merely combat it.
He described public procurement as one of the areas of government most vulnerable to corrupt practices and urged participants to strictly adhere to established rules to avoid sanctions.
Eze identified transparency, integrity, openness, fairness, competition and accountability as the guiding principles of public procurement, while commending the NDDC for embracing E-procurement, which he described as a transformative step towards a more transparent and efficient procurement system.
