The Plateau State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public funds by training permanent secretaries, heads of agencies and procurement officers on public procurement principles.
The training, organised on Tuesday by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service in collaboration with the Plateau State Bureau for Public Procurement, was supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) programme.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Head of the Civil Service, Mr Stephen Gadongs, said the initiative was aimed at deepening compliance with procurement regulations and strengthening procurement processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
Represented by Mrs Roseline Dakwar, Gadongs described public procurement as a critical instrument for good governance, stressing that transparent, competitive and accountable procurement systems were essential for delivering quality infrastructure, essential services and value for public funds.
He said the training would equip procurement professionals with the knowledge and skills required to discharge their responsibilities in line with the state’s procurement law.
“Public procurement is a critical instrument for good governance; it is through transparent, competitive and accountable procurement process that government delivers quality infrastructure, essential services, and value for public funds.
“Therefore, strengthening the knowledge and skills of our procurement professionals is not merely an administrative exercise, it is an investment in accountability, transparency and sustainable development.
“This government remains committed to promoting due process, integrity and professionalism in the public service.
“This administration recognises that procurement officers and permanent secretaries play a vital strategic role in ensuring that government resources are utilised efficiently and in full compliance with our procurement law,” he said.
Earlier, the Plateau State Coordinator of ROLAC, Mr Mantim Dala, said the training was designed to improve participants’ understanding of the provisions of the Plateau State Public Procurement Law and promote prudent management of public resources.
Dala explained that ROLAC, a programme implemented by International IDEA with funding from the European Union, supports initiatives aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and anti-corruption systems.
According to him, public procurement remains central to effective governance because it determines how public resources are utilised for the benefit of citizens.
“So, therein lies the component that deals with the issues on public procurement, fiscal responsibility and prevention of corrupt practices, among others.
“Today we are here to look at something very significant; to ensure that the scarce resources that are available are judiciously applied so that every citizen and society can produce their benefit from it.
“There is no way that governance or any form of democracy can be effective without procurement,” Dala said.
