Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director-General of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has issued a strong call to action for the newly appointed chairmen and members of the country’s regional development commissions. During a retreat organized by the Ministry of Regional Development, Adedokun emphasized the critical importance of adhering to due process in all procurement activities. He stressed that a history of circumventing established procurement procedures has significantly hampered Nigeria’s development goals. This new administration, under President Bola Tinubu, has tasked the BPP with ensuring a radical shift away from transactional procurement practices towards a transparent and accountable system. Adedokun’s message was clear: the era of opaque and self-serving procurement is over, and a new era of integrity and efficiency must begin.
The BPP Director-General underscored the legal ramifications of non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007. He explicitly stated that both the chairmen and members of the commissions bear personal responsibility for all procurement decisions made under their watch. Referring to Section 20 of the Act, Adedokun emphasized that accounting officers overseeing procurement processes are equally liable for any breaches, whether committed directly by them or by their subordinates. This shared accountability, he explained, is designed to foster a culture of vigilance and responsibility throughout the procurement chain, ensuring that every individual involved understands the weight of their decisions and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
Adedokun challenged the conventional notion of development, arguing that true regional transformation transcends the distribution of small-scale items like tricycles and sewing machines. He painted a vision of development that encompasses impactful and sustainable projects, such as interconnected rail networks, robust road infrastructure, state-of-the-art hospitals, and world-class educational institutions. These large-scale projects, he argued, represent the true markers of progress and will leave a lasting legacy for future generations. He urged the commission members to think big, to envision projects that will fundamentally transform their regions and elevate the lives of the people they serve.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the BPP will implement electronic monitoring solutions to track the progress of projects across all regions from its headquarters in Abuja. Adedokun reiterated the mandatory adherence to budgetary appropriations and open competitive bidding processes for all procurement activities. He emphasized the core principles of procurement: transparency, fostering competition, efficiency, value for money, and fitness for purpose. Furthermore, he stressed the immutability of evaluation criteria, stating unequivocally that these standards must never be altered to favor particular bidders or outcomes.
The Director-General’s address was not merely a recitation of regulations and procedures. It was a passionate appeal to the commission members to embrace the responsibility entrusted to them and to prioritize the transformative development of their regions. He urged them to see their roles not as mere appointments, but as a solemn duty to build a better future for their communities. Adedokun challenged them to create legacies that would not only benefit present generations but also inspire future generations to strive for excellence.
Adedokun’s message resonated as a call to action, a challenge to rise above the failures of the past and embrace a new era of integrity and accountability in public procurement. He urged the commission members to view their appointments as an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people they serve, and to make President Tinubu proud of the trust he has placed in them. The success of these regional development commissions, and ultimately, the development of Nigeria, rests upon their commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and ethical conduct in all their procurement endeavors. His address served as a stark reminder that the future of Nigeria’s development hinges on the integrity and competence of its public officials and their unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance.
