- Dr. Adebowale Adedokun of the Bureau of Public Procurement expressed readiness to present procurement documents related to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road
- The BPP plans to enhance Standard Bidding Documents and set a 21-day turnaround for approving procurement applications starting in 2025
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has expressed his readiness to present procurement documents related to the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road to investigators if required.
Dr. Adedokun made this statement on Monday during a press conference in Abuja attended by heads of the nation’s anti-graft agencies. He emphasized that the BPP is committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.
He also revealed plans to revise and enhance the Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) to ensure fairness and competitiveness in the procurement process.
Additionally, the bureau will collaborate with the World Bank and other development partners on the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS).
When questioned whether the project adhered to procurement regulations, Dr. Adedokun declined to comment extensively, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
As part of its reforms, the BPP has set a 21-day maximum turnaround time for approving procurement applications from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), effective from 2025.
The bureau also plans to leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency in the procurement process.
Dr. Adedokun outlined key priorities for 2025, which include strengthening partnerships with anti-corruption agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), professional bodies, and international partners. These collaborations aim to achieve globally recognized procurement standards.
The bureau will also focus on training Federal Permanent Secretaries, CEOs, Legal Officers, Procurement Officers, members of the National Assembly, and the Judiciary to enhance their understanding of procurement best practices.
He assured the BPP would intensify its oversight functions by categorizing and classifying contractors and consultants, conducting procurement audits, and submitting periodic reports to the Presidency.
Sanctions for misconduct and incentives for compliance will be central to the bureau’s strategy. Dr. Adedokun affirmed that the BPP would work closely with anti-corruption agencies to ensure that abuses of public office are thoroughly addressed.