By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Twenty Seven (27) Public Procurement officers from the Bauchi State Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Health, Education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector and related officers from Alkaleri, Bauchi, Katagum and Misau Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State are currently being trained on how to develop their procurement plan and manual for optimal performance in service delivery.
The 3 Days training, being held at Hazibal Hotel Conference Hall Bauchi,is being supported by the USAID funded State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity Bauchi Field Office and is running between 14th – 16th June, 2023.
Our correspondent, who was at the venue of the training, seek to have a feel of participant’s perception regarding the training so far.
An official of the Bauchi State Bureau for Public Procurement Mr. Babangida Haruna Inuwa Miri said that so far, the contents of the presentations are rich.
He told our correspondent that though the BPP have their planning and reporting templates in existence, the training has exposed him on how to enrich the templates and further make it user friendly to all the State MDAs.
He also said that some of the content of the training materials will further enhance their current systems especially in the areas of planning and reporting procurement related issues.
Another official from the Bauchi State Drugs and Consumables Management Agency (DMMA), Pharmacist Haulat Sabitu, said that so far the presentations at the training was quite elaborate pointing out some of the technical issues inherent in implementing procurement processes.
Sabitu said that the training will definitely add value to her Agency, especially looking at the fact of their dealings with pharmaceutical vendors and other service providers.
On his part, Mr. Ibrahim Babangida of the State Ministry of Women Affairs said that , after being part of the training for the past two days, it has invigorated him with new ideas and he has seen the wisdom behind towing the line of public procurement in all government contracts.
Earlier before the commencement of the training, Public Finance Management (PFM) Specialist of State2State Activity, Mr Isaac Otabor said the objective of the training was aimed at building the capacity of the participants on the rudiments of public procurement for effective, efficient and cost effective service delivery in government programs.
Mr Otabor further explained the training will seek to support the State Government review its Procurement Manual and Plan to ensure best practice in that regard.
While declaring the training open, the State Head of Service, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna said the training was apt, noting that the state government was an adherent of best practice in especially procurement process.
Alhaji Yahuza Haruna represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and SERVICOM Matters Bureau, Muhammad Sani Umar, advised the resource persons to make their presentations in congruence with the state’s peculiarities with a view to actualizing the desired objective.
He commended the USAID State2State Activity for the technical assistance being offered to Bauchi state to ensure international best practice.