By Godfrey Bivbere
Ministry of Transport has organised a training programme for procurement personnel in the ministry and the various agencies and parastatals under it, to ensure efficient management of funds in accordance with federal government policy.

In his keynote address at the training programme, Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, said the need for optimum utilization of the nation’s resources is imperative because the country can not afford wasteful expenditure through unguided procurement

The Minister noted that the training became necessary because the ministry is charged with enormous responsibilities bothering on procurement of heavy engineering works, goods and services; couple with the fact the procurement practice is new relatively in the country.

Suleiman who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. (Mrs.)  Edugie Abebe, explained that government in 2007 decided on the Procurement Act as a result of some defects and setbacks noticed in the procurement practice.

He pointed out that the procurement Act is a challenge to all procurement officers in the country to know that it is anchored on value for money, transparency, competition, competence and efficiency as opposed to the decayed old practice.

According to him, “This government is very passionate about the procurement of works, services and goods at the best possible total cost of ownership in the right quantity and quality at the right time, in the right place for the direct benefit of the citizenry.”

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary had noted that the need for the workshop cannot be over-emphasized especially as it concerns heavy engineering projects such as dredging, railways, other constructions etc are being implemented. She pointed out that such projects need high level of professional capacity and technical know-how in the area of management of procurement.

Abebe further stressed that the ministry’s desire to foster mutual understanding, resolve procurement challenges and encourage good working relationship throughout the ministry and its parastatals/agencies has been successfully achieved with the inauguration of the Ministerial Procurement Co-ordination Committee.

The above she continued would help in adherence to the provisions of Public Procurement Act 2007 towards better budgetary performance.