BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU
Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Contractors have been enjoined to embrace Digitization of procurement process being introduced by the commission.
Director Procurement NDDC, Dr. Chuks Osuji who gave the advice during Policy Reform and Digitization of NDDC Procurement System training in Owerri Imo State, insisted that automation of the process would promote transparency and accountability.
Dr. Osuji explained that the training would equip contractors of Niger Delta extraction with the required knowledge to take part in digital platforms in accordance with global best practices.
He told participants that the Digitization would eliminate physical contact and fast track bidding process.
Similarly, Director Imo State Office, Mr. Patrick Obayelu who admitted that Digitization of procurement process would help drive development, noted that the process would aid accountability in service delivery.
He told participants that the training would equip them with the requirements of procurement in line with Government policies.
In a lecture on Digitization of NDDC Procurement System, Head of Procurement and Audit, Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence, Mr. Frank Ukwubuaku encouraged contractors to acquire and study procurement act to know the process of procurement in line with extant laws.
Mr. Ukwubuaku noted that it was necessary to understand the regulations guiding procurement.
While reminding participants that value for money was required in every procurement, he emphasized that every procurement has ten years duration for assessment and if any anomaly was noticed, the procurement officer could be called for questioning.
He stated that Procurement required probity and accountability.
The speaker reminded procurement officers that they risk sanctions if they derail from the process.
According to him, Digitization limits bottleneck in procurement process.
The guest speaker named Procurement Lifecycle to include;
Needs assessment, procurement planning, specification preparation, three weeks minimum advertisement, bid submission, evaluation, contract award, contract management, performance evaluation and record keeping.
The theme of the training was Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital Systems Support for the NDDC.
