The Acting Director General and Director of Administration and Legal Services at the Delta State Procurement Commission, Mr. Anthony Jibumah, has emphasized on the commission’s commitment to promoting transparency by educating civil servants on procurement laws.
Mr. Jibumah made this statement during an advocacy tour focused on implementing the Delta State Public Procurement Law and Guidelines. The tour was organized for directors in the Ministry of Economic Planning.
According to him, “The advocacy tour became necessary because when circulars are issued to enforce the laws and guidelines, officers often find it challenging to comply. However, engaging them directly through sessions like this makes it easier for them to understand.”
He clarified that the objective was not punitive but to ensure due process is followed. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the session effectively.
The Director of the Technical and Evaluation Department, Engr. Obas Okekeri, provided an overview of the Delta State Public Procurement Law 2020. He discussed key aspects such as post review thresholds, annual procurement plan, certificates of no objections, related legal matters and more.
Engr. Okekeri urged participants to adhere to due process in procurement activities, emphasizing that violations could lead to legal actions, including prosecutions in the Supreme Court.
He also shared the commission’s website address and encouraged civil servants to access it for information on laws, guidelines, and issued circulars.
Similarly, the Director of Procurement Planning and Research, Mr. Albert Osiagwu, advised participants to familiarize themselves thoroughly with procurement laws to enhance compliance.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning, represented by the Director of Overseas Development, Mrs. Martina Amromanoh, stressed the importance of continued sensitization among senior government officials and civil servants to ensure smooth operations.
In the same vein, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Felicia Omare, highlighted the need for annual training for MDAs. She also recommended distributing hard copies of the procurement law to MDAs to facilitate better understanding and adherence.
The event was attended by directors, deputy Directors, and assistant directors in the ministry of Economic Planning.
