By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Public Procurement Agency (KW-PPA) is extending its training programmes on procurement processes to staff of the state-owned tertiary institutions towards enhancing procurement transparency and efficiency in the respective institutions.

The General Manager, Kwara State Public Procurement Agency, QS Raheem Abdulbaki, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Rector, Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, Engr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, noted that procurement matters require ingenuity and integrity on the part of officers saddled with the responsibility.

Abdulbaki stated that the Agency is an independent body saddled with the responsibility of enlightening all public bodies, including the general public, in the state on the need to comply with the state’s procurement law.

He disclosed that the Agency has successfully trained officers saddled with procurement processes across MDAs on all areas of procurement, hence, adding that they are now extending the training to state-owned tertiary institutions in line with the provisions under section 76 of the Kwara State Public Procurement Law 2018, as amended.

The Procurement boss, however, explained that the responsibility of the Agency is limited essentially to procurements funded by the Kwara state Government and internally generated funds, as well as partnership with the Federal Government.

He applauded the Rector for always reaching out to the Agency on procurement matters, disclosing that the interest of the Rector is the reason why the training for state-owned tertiary institutions is being kicked off in the Polytechnic.

In his response, the Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, appreciated the General Manager for his readiness to always give maximum guidance and support whenever the Agency is approached on matters that have to do with procurement processes, noting that this has aided the polytechnic against running foul of the procurement law.

Mohammed disclosed that the training is a welcome development, saying the Polytechnic is readny to partake actively in it, while also promising to continue to comply with all aspects of the State’s procurement law.

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