In its bid to ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency in government spending, Ogun State Bureau of Public Procurement has sensitised Top Management Staff in the State to get acquainted and updated with the procurement process and implementation.

The Procurement Reform Specialist of the Bureau, Engr. Bashiru Olayiwola stated this while delivering a Lecture during the sensitisation programme, with the theme" Understanding The Roles of Top Management Staff In The Implementation of Ogun State Public Procurement 2014 Law, organised for Heads of User Departments on Procurement Practices in Ogun State Public Service, at the Bureau's Conference Room, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Olayiwola listed the stages of procurement process in line with global best practices to include, Procurement planning, preparation for tenders document and specification, tenders evaluation among others.

" I will like to advise the Management Staff of each agency at this training to understand properly their roles in the implementation of the stages of the procurement process and how to use public funds adequately," he said.

In her welcome address, the Bureau's Coordinator, Mrs. Feyisara Bolarinwa –Adebowale, appreciated the participants for attending the programme, adding that Procurement process was the only way to curb corruption and unnecessary spending of Government funds.

In his lecture, The Director, Appeal Management Resolution and Quality Assurance, Mr. Olatunde Kassim, explained that some of the roles of appeal management were to ensure that suppliers and Contractors had access to fair hearing and enforce proper documentation of Procurement files, noting that, poor procurement practice could lead to budget overruns, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Scrutiny, delayed service delivery and Auditor - General's queries among others.

          In his own Contribution, The Director, Monitoring Evaluation Compliance and Enforcement, Mr. Akindele Akinrinmade, listed some of the benefits of good Procurement process to include, value for money which would ensure that public funds were used efficiently by getting the best quality at the lowest cost, to boosts economy growth, provide fair opportunities to local suppliers, help in better Financial planning and reduce wastage of public resources and corruption.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Toluwalope Kowo, Director, Planning , Research and Statistics and Mrs. Ogundare Oluwaseun, Director, Administration and supply, from the Ministry of Information and Strategy and Ministry of Housing respectively, appreciated the organizer and disclosed that it  had broaden their knowledge on how best to follow procurement process of the State.