NDDC Trains Contractors on E-Procurement, Vows to Institutionalize Reforms By Chris Mark
NDDC Trains Contractors on E-Procurement, Vows to Institutionalize Reforms
By Chris Mark
The Niger Delta Development Commission on Tuesday concluded a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization and training workshop on policy reform and digitization of its procurement system in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Themed _“Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital Systems for the NDDC,”
NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the training was designed to equip contractors with knowledge of e-procurement in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure transparency and efficiency in government projects.
He stressed the need for a seamless project process that delivers value for money and meets global electronic standards. Digitization, he noted, would reduce human interference, corruption, inefficiency, and delays in project delivery.
“The MD is ensuring that service providers across the region are trained to understand the government’s policy direction. This will make them more competitive,” Osuji said.
On sustainability, Osuji assured that the e-procurement system would outlive the current management due to structures being institutionalized.
“It doesn’t matter who comes after the MD or the Director of Procurement. When standards are put in place, whoever comes in will continue with them because it has become institutionalized,” he stated.
“So if contractors and service providers are educated and understand the processes, we are ensuring a standard that will outlive all of us.”
Facilitator Mrs. Taavaan Ongolo said the lecture focused on communicating reforms on the digitization of procurement processes in line with the President’s agenda, to keep stakeholders abreast of developmental changes.
She listed key benefits: wider access for stakeholders irrespective of location, reduced bottlenecks, and increased productivity.
Ongolo urged participants to prepare for future bidding opportunities.
“Government has provided opportunities again, so be prepared. If you fail to plan, you won’t take advantage when opportunities come. But if you work with this information now, build yourself, develop the documentation and capacity to participate in bidding, opportunities will be given to everybody. No restrictions. It’s across board,” she said.
Mr. Ineye Austin, who represented De Pinnacle Group of Companies, commended the NDDC and urged other organisations to emulate the Commission.
“I gained a lot from the first presentation on the introduction of the policy and compliance with the Procurement Act. It has been very beneficial to us,” Austin said.
