NEWS
BPP Evolves Strategies to Block Corruption in Procurement Processes
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on Monday said it was coming up with strict strategies to block corruption in government Procurement Processes.
Director General of the Bureau, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, who made the disclosure in Abuja, said his agency was strengthening its audit systems in a bid to tackle corruption in the procurement system.
The Bureau was before the Committee on Public Procurement to defend its 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposals.
Adedokun however decried the budgetary ceiling placed on the agency, which he feared would hamper this objective among other strategies it plans to adopt to improve the system.
He said during the course of budget planning and preparation, the Bureau proposed the total sum of N72, 775, 250, 713, however the Budget Office allocated a ceiling of 3, 283, 021, 838. This sum, he noted, was in exclusion of Personnel budget of N649, 558, 451.59.
On the 2024 budget performance, he said a total sum of 2, 234, 785, 641 was allocated out of which N2, 110, 061, 164 was utilized.
He said the capital allocation of N289, 418, 688 for the year was inadequate to achieving any meaningful reforms and addressing the core mandates that will realize effective contract administration.
He added that only the sum of N184, 024, 690 of the sum for capital expenditure has so far been released.
Adedokun said the agency’s 2025 budget primarily focuses on addressing its office accommodation challenge, address monitoring and evaluation of projects throughout the nation, deliver an electronic procurement system to the country as well as build capacity.
While expressing gratitude to the Committee for the support it had shown the Bureau, he decried the paucity of funds and sought its assistance to get more money.
The DG said, “We also realise that we need to also intensify our audit exercise. It is better to prevent than to prosecute. Under our watch our strategy is to ensure we prevent misuse of funds through real time IT tools in procurement audit.
“We want to go digital in terms of our workflow, which means even if DG is not on seat, certification can be done anywhere in the country. We also provided for an upgrade of our national database of contractors and service providers.
“Under the 2025 budget, it would no longer be business as usual. We will be categorizing contractors meaning that contractors of equal competence must bid for projects within their funding capacity.
“I want to assure you that we have the capacity to transform the procurement space within the shortest possible time. We will do more if empowered financially.
“If we use procurement as a tool for good governance, it would reduce corruption and poverty and increase employment and industry if this appeal is given due consideration.
“BPP has the capacity to contribute significantly to the GDP of the country through the innovations we are bringing on board.”
Adedokun said the various achievements by the Agency over the years has been with very limited funding.
He said under his administration the Bureau is committed to making the contracting process even more efficient, transparent and competitive for foreign and local contractors.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon Unyime Idem, said they were mindful of the ceiling imposed on the agency and would do something about that.
“I want to assure you that what you have seen before us is the proposal, so we would engage the committee in charge of appropriation to ensure that those inadequacies in terms of funding are addressed,” he said.
Idem said the BPP remains a vital institution for the ability of any government to achieve good governance and deliver the dividends of democracy.
He said if the BPP improves its productivity in playing its full role, it will improve the quality of governance, procurement and project management.
“However, how can the above be achieved without an empowered BPP? I have looked at the data with respect to the allocation to the BPP in 2024, which indicates that it was allocated N2,234,785,641 and N2,110,061,164 was released under the 2024 budget.
“Under the budget proposal before the National Assembly, the Budget Office of the Federation and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning allocated to the BPP a maximum ceiling of N3,383,021,838, excluding personnel cost. This is notwithstanding the impact of inflation between January 2024 and January 2025.
“I have perused the Needs Assessment conducted by the BPP preparatory to the presentation of the extant budget, and I can see that the actual needs of the Bureau comes to about N72,775,250,713.
“I have noted that there are some major critical needs of the Bureau, for example, the Bureau does not have a befitting and functional Office accommodation. An important institution like the BPP that is reviewing huge projects and regulating all the major capital projects in Nigeria should have a befitting office.
“I urge the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to expedite action on leveraging technology to enhance its operations. To effectively regulate, review, and monitor public procurement, the BPP must deploy cutting-edge IT assets, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence.
“Notably, many countries have successfully transitioned to e- Procurement, achieving significant gains in efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency. I charge the BPP to prioritize the upgrade of its outdated digital infrastructure, including the National Contractors Database Intelligence, Price Intelligence and Monitoring, Asset Tracking and Management, and other critical systems, to ensure seamless and transparent public procurement processes,” he said.
Dr Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare says the Federal Government will ensure that every Nigerian has access to the eye care they need.
Salako said this in Abuja on Thursday at the Eyeball Summit organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).
The summit’s theme was “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Alliances”.
According to Salako, the theme is quite apt and aligns with the ministry’s current line of investment in the health sector.
He said that it also aligned with the overall goal of the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that Nigerians are provided with the healthcare they need at any point in time without financial hardship.
He said that in the face of rising challenges, such as the increasing burden of visual impairment and the growing demand for eye care services, the ministry may not address the issue of eye health in isolation.
“By working together, we can ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their geographical location or economic status, has access to the eye care they need.
“This summit serves as an important platform to collectively strategise and propose concrete solutions that can strengthen the eye care system in Nigeria.
“It can not be optimally productive without strategic alliances, collaboration and cooperation.
“It is through partnerships that we can pool resources, share expertise and develop innovative solutions to overcome the gaps in eye care provision,” Salako said .
According to him, it will include increasing awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and human resources are in place to support the delivery of services.
He said that the partnership would also promote eye health friendly policies and provide continuous professional development training to ensure that eye health care givers are up to date in their knowledge and skills.
“The government is committed to ensuring that you have the necessary tools, policies, and an enabling environment to carry out your work effectively.
“Under this administration, we will continue to expand access to affordable eye care services, which are critical in a country where a large proportion of the population live in underserved areas,” he said.
Dr Obinna Awiaka, Registrar of the board, said that the summit was, a testament to their collective commitment, resilience, and aspiration.
Awiaka said that it symbolised the board’s relentless pursuit of excellence, the prioritisation of knowledge, innovation, partnership, and an unyielding devotion to preserving and enhancing the gift of sight for all Nigerians.
According to him, in an era marked by rapid technological change, shifting patient needs, and complex healthcare challenges, it is imperative that the custodians of vision health, stay ahead of the curve.
“We must constantly evolve, embracing innovation while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.
“The theme speaks to a fundamental truth: No single entity, no matter how skilled or committed, can achieve transformative change alone,” he said.(NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has renovated and furnished more than 60 public schools across the territory.
Wike stated this after inspecting some ongoing projects in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils of the territory on Friday.
He explained that beyond road projects, the FCT Administration had invested hugely in improving critical infrastructure in the health and education sectors among others.
According to him, every sector will receive the needed attention, and no one will be left behind.
“We have done a lot of work in schools. The schools we have renovated and furnished are more than 60 so far.
“I can tell you that no sector would be left abandoned, every sector will be focused on.”
The minister, however, pointed out that “good road network is what brings development.
“When there are no roads, which school will you go to?
“When there are no roads, which hospital will you go to?
“So first of all, the key thing that drives development is a good road network all over the world.
“If you’re talking about agriculture, how will you go and harvest your produce when there is no road?”
Wike said that the farming communities along the A2 to Pai road would be happy that they now have a road network to take their farm produce to the city and markets to sell.
He added that good road networks also impacted positively in reducing insecurity.
He explained that when people commit offences and there was no road to chase them, it would become a problem.
“But when you see this kind of road with streetlights, you will have to think twice before you commit any offence,” the minister said. (NAN)
A 42-year-old woman, Bukola Solademi, was on Friday arraigned before a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan over alleged theft of carbonated drinks and bottled water valued at N7.688 million.
Solademi, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against her.
The court’s President, Mrs O.
E. Owoseni, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum.Owoseni said that the sureties must be blood relatives, show evidence of three years tax payment to Oyo State government, present their National Identification Numbers and show evidence of ownership of landed property in Ibadan.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till July 4 for hearing.
The Prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offence between March 2024 and April 2025 at Ibikunle, Ayeye area of Ibadan.
Ayeni further said that Solademi stole 12 packs of Bigi water valued at N14,750, 31; packs of big Eva water valued at N309,400, 176 and packs of Mr V water valued at N264,400.
He said that the defendant also stole 405 packs of Predator valued at N1.903,400 and 14 packs of Schewepps valued at N57,600.
The prosecutor listed other items allegedly stolen by the defendant to include: 244 packs of pet coke valued at N882,300; 20 packs of big American cola valued at N128,00012 and packs of Bigi Cola valued at N240,000.
The remaining items were one carton of Lacasera valued at N1,850,240,000; 34 cartons of Pepsi valued at N104,100; 100 cartons of Coca-cola valued at N520,000 and 243 cartons of Fearless valued at N992,300.
The other stolen drinks were: 75 cartons of Bigi Fanta valued at N240,000, 14 packs of Sosa drink valued at N4,000 and 395 packs of Bigi American cola valued at N1.422 million.
Ayeni said that the drinks belonged to one Ajoke Ayinde, a businesswoman.
According to him, the offence contravenes the provisions of section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)
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