EU-WB Assisted Osun SLOGOR Sensitizes State Accounting Officers On Public Procurement Law

In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in government transactions, the State and Local Government Reform (SLOGOR) Project, an European Union and World Bank Assisted programme has organized a one-day sensitization workshop for all the accounting officers across Osun State.

The one-day sensitization workshop which was held on Tuesday was put together by SLOGOR, in Conjunction with State of Osun Public Procurement Agency for all Accounting Officers in the government parastatal  across the state on the implementation of Public Procurement Laws (PPL).

Speaking, the State Coordinator EU-World Bank Assisted state and Local Governance Reform, SLOGOR, Mr Yemi Ijidele said that the essence of the workshop was to ensure that the accounting officers  and other stakeholders are familiar with the PPL.

Ijidele who commended the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for allowing the seminar to take place, said the law would give room for sustainability of transparency and accountability in government transactions.

Ijidele noted that there was the need for the accounting officers in all the state government establishments to have a framework upon which they would base their operations and be guided.

He noted that  Public Procurement Law provides for public dissemination of information on government procurement which will guarantee citizens, particularly small and medium scale enterprises, opportunities to participate in public procurement processes among others.

Ijidele further explained  that procurement was one way the government interfaces with the people and enlivens its domestic economy.

The SLOGOR state coordinator said it was important that the resources of government were managed judiciously and the procurement process seen to be transparent and equitable.

He held that government, as stewards of public funds, must be accountable and be seen to have got the best deal for the people with public funds.

He pointed out that the State of Osun Public Procurement Law 2015 consisted of 81 sections which would ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks.

According to him, six states including; Osun, Anambra, Cross River, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa are benefiting from the Euro/World bank assisted programme, saying out of the five states only Osun has succeeded in the passage of the Public Procurement Laws.

“Many people run into the procurement problem as a result of ignorance and lack of understanding of the Public Procurement Laws, it process and implementation.” he said

The key objectives according to Ijidele are; value for money, integrity, accountability,  fair treatment of all suppliers and service providers and efficiency in the procurement process among others.

He, therefore, implored the participants to make judicious use of the training they have received from the workshop.

Speaking, Ayodele Fatubelu, the Acting General Manager, Osun Public Procurement Laws said that the law would ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks.

Appreciating the state government and the organisers of the programme, the acting GM noted that the law would foster the accounting officers and other stakeholders opportunity to know more just as instil in them fresh knowledge on the implementation of public procurement law.

He said government had put in place adequate guideline to safeguard the law from being abused by people.

The Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega tasked the accounting officers and other workers to more diligent and committed to their duties.

Olowogboyega also urged them to make judicious use of training, saying they should all play their roles in the development of State.