The Edo State Government, in collaboration with the State’s Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA), has provided training to more than 80 procurement officials in the state on transparent contracting and responsibility in procurement procedures.
Organized over a period of three days, the training was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), and Accountability Lab Nigeria (ALN).
The training program, which took place at the Government House in Benin City, was attended by participants from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), who were educated on the state’s open contracting data standard portal.
In his speech at the event, Henry Imogiemhe Idogun, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of EDPPA, highlighted that the training program aimed to enhance the government’s implementation of technology to enhance the procurement process in the state.
He stated, “E-procurement is driven by technology, and we are expanding in that direction. The data obtained from procurement, when made transparent, enables citizens to have a true understanding of the procurement processes.
“We are establishing a platform where data will be accessible to relevant parties, including Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and citizens who wish to know the recipients and value of contracts.”
He further added, “We have redesigned the portal and aim to retrain our officers from various MDAs attending this training on the effective utilization of the portal.”
“All participants are from Edo State. As procurement officers working in different ministries and MDAs, they will be the ones to utilize the technology. This training equips them to perform their duties more effectively, enabling them to contribute value to the governance system of the state.”
Continuing his statement, Idogun emphasized, “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s visionary leadership has brought the Edo State Public Procurement Agency to the global stage, with states and countries studying the agency’s effectiveness in procurement matters. The transformation in the procurement process is aimed at creating a lasting impact, even after his tenure, by laying the foundation for future technology.”
“Procurement requires everyone’s support to ensure a smooth process. We have development partners who are supporting us to achieve better results,” added Idogun.
Sharing his perspective, Friday Odeh, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, stated, “Upon completion of this training program, particularly for procurement officers, we expect to see a commitment to public access to information regarding procurement processes in the state.”