Director-General of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu, has advised procurement officers to adhere strictly to the procurement process.

Ahmadu, at 2022 Procurement Capacity Training for Procurement Cadre for parastatals, institutions, commissions and agencies in Lagos State, said BPP would sanction officers involved in shady practices.

He advised procuring entities to collaborate with BPP in setting requirements for recruitment into the procurement cadre in line with National Establishment Extant Circular.

“This cadre is a professional. We expect that procuring entities would consult with BPP prior to recruitment and promotion of certified procurement officers.

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“As regulators … we will support officers who adhere to principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and fairness… I urge you to share your ideas and challenges, as we have capable hands to guide you in advancing transparency and accountability …” he said.

Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Prof. Bolaji Owosanye, noted that public procurement entails a significant part of government budget, either for capital or recurrent.

“When people talk about procurement, they focus  on capital spending. But even recurrent spending – stationery, diesel, and selecting a ICT consultant.

So, if you do not have strength or character, then forget being a procurement officer. I don’t know whether or not BBP has a way to measure this.

“It might not be a bad idea to introduce indicators for measuring character strength and weaknesses. If you cannot stand firm, I guarantee that soon, you will be our customer in ICPC,” he said.