BPP to deploy electronic system to tackle procurement fraud, enhance transparency

Adebowale Adedokun, director-general (DG) of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has introduced a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating procurement fraud in the country.

Speaking at a press conference themed “Renewed Hope Through Strategic Procurement” in Abuja on Monday, Adedokun said the goal is to ensure that the government obtains optimal value for all its contracts.

“The new vision is anchored on three key pillars: transparency and accountability; competence, efficiency, integrity, and innovation; and inclusivity and economic growth,” the DG said.

He said the BPP plans to deploy an electronic procurement system in the coming year.

According to Adedokun, the system will allow government agencies to conduct e-advertisements, thereby enhancing cost efficiency and transparency.

He added that the BPP would focus on improving career development for procurement officers while fostering stronger collaborations with anti-corruption agencies and other key stakeholders.

“Inclusivity will remain a cornerstone of our strategy, and we will strengthen our oversight functions by implementing categorisation and classification systems for contractors and construction,” he said.

Adedokun added that the bureau plans to implement intelligence and benchmarking systems to consistently assess and refine policies and practices to remain in line with current standards.

He noted that BPP would tackle existing issues, including delays in project execution, skill shortages, and inadequate awareness.

“These challenges present opportunities for growth, innovation, and the establishment of new benchmarks for public procurement excellence in Nigeria,” Adedokun said.

“By leveraging technology, fostering collaboration, and empowering our workforce, we will overcome these obstacles and set a new standard for public procurement excellence in Nigeria.”

He said the bureau will also introduce sanctions for poor conduct while good practices would be rewarded.

Adedokun said the BPP would collaborate closely with anti-corruption agencies to enforce strict penalties for breaches of public procurement regulations.

“We will enter into memoranda of understanding (MoU) with relevant anti-corruption agencies to enforce appropriate standards,” he added.

Present at the press conference were Musa Aliu, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Abdullahi Bello, chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Others present included Orji Ogbonaya, the executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), and a representative from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They collectively committed to supporting the BPP in achieving its goal of eradicating procurement fraud and other corrupt practices associated with the award of government contracts.