The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, NASENI, Dr. Nonyem Onyechi; and representative of the Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement and Director of Training, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun during the opening of the 3-day In-house training for procurement officers of NASENI Systemwide held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

As the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) continue to deploy resources for research and products delivery, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has urged staff of the agency to observe the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 in the agencies system-wide.

The advice comes as the Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu resolved to build an agency that will not only be a role model but an institution where due process is strictly followed

The NASENI boss spoke in Abuja while welcoming guest to a three-day in-house training workshop Organised for procurement officers of the agency with the theme: “Building the Best Procurement Operations in NASENI System -wide”

Mr Halilu said the “three-day workshop is designed to equip officers involved in procurement with the professional capacity needed to manage NASENI’s procurement processes effectively,

in full compliance with the PPA 2007.

“I assure you that NASENI is committed to complying with everything outlined in the Act.

One of my clearly stated goals when I assumed office as EVC/CEO of NASENI was to make the Agency a public sector employer of choice in Nigeria”

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu (6th from left); representative of the Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement and Director of Training, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun (7th from left); Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, NASENI, Dr. Nonyem Onyechi (8th from left); Director of Procurement, Dr. Mohammed A. Mohammed and other top officers of NASENI system-wide during the opening of the 3-day In-house training for procurement officers of NASENI Systemwide held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

The EVC said to achieve the stated goals requires a high level of professional proficiency and technical expertise in procurement management.

He urged the participants to put into practice knowledge acquired at the workshop and should make a difference in the conduct of their official assignment and responsibilities

Declaring the workshop open the Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement Olusegun Omotola disclosed that the ICPC and the EFCC have commenced investigations into alleged breach of the Public Procurement Act by officials of some government agencies

The Acting Director General who was represented by Adebowale Adedokun however did not name the agencies involved in the alleged scam

While cautioning staff of NASENI to be mindful of the BPP Act Mr Adedokun said since year 2007 the BPP has been conducting specialised trainings in all areas of public procurement, adding that it is mandatory for all government agencies or departments to use the BPP bidding process.

According to him, “Bureau of Public Procurement believes that this collaboration with NASENI is a veritable platform that must be used to continue to strengthen the procurement system, capacity of the Procurement Officers to deliver value, identify the inadequacies observed in the implementation with a view to enhancing the process within the instrument of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and that will serve as a Launchpad for improved budget performance thus leading to economic growth, creativity and innovations, advancement in technology adaptable locally and globally for our country”

The participating staff were drawn from procurement, Account, Audit, Legal units of NASENI