Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN) says the fundamental principles, categories, and stages of public procurement are a crucial part for law officers in any Ministries, Agencies, and Parastatals of government to practice, in order to ensure quality assurance, as well as judicious use of the public fund.

Mr. Ogungbade (SAN), made this known at a day training on “Overview of Public Procurement” organised by the Ministry of Justice in conjunction with Ogun State Public Procurement for law officers at the Ministry’s conference room in Abeokuta, saying that the training would bring about transparency in government activities.

The Attorney General stated that the knowledge of public procurement would broaden the skills of law officers and enhance their professionalism in any agency of government they find themselves, commending the organisers of the programme. 

In his opening speech, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bamidele Adebayo said all agencies of government are expected to have law officers in the procurement department that would serve in different government agencies, noting that the officers have been carefully selected.

The Director-General, Ogun State Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Adesina Olanloye who also served as the guest speaker, said procurement is a process, as it entails the acquisition of goods, works, or services at the best possible cost of ownership which must be done in right quality and quantity at the right time for the use of government in a transparent manner.

Mr. Olanloye added that the procurement law was passed in the year 2014 and amended in the year 2020 by the State government through the Ministry of Justice.

He explained that the fundamental principles of procurement which must be known to law officers are transparency, accountability, and conformity with law and regulations, open competitive bidding, among others, pointing out that bidders must have the adequate financial capability with professional and technical qualifications.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mr. Fuyi Oshunfisan, noted that public procurement law is generally technical, advising law officers to take advantage of the training and follow its due process.

The Director, Civil Litigations and Advisory Services Department, Mr. James Mafe who spoke on behalf of the participants, appreciated the State Government for the opportunity, noting that the training would serve as an eye-opener to the law officers.