The Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have lauded the Delta State Government for its unprecedented openness and commitment to transparency.
The agencies described Delta State as a trailblazer in sub-national accountability.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, made the commendation on behalf of the two agencies during a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D, in Asaba on Wednesday.
Dr. Adedokun emphasized that Delta State stands out as a progressive partner in the fight against corruption by willingly subjecting its processes to external evaluation.
”Delta State should be acknowledged as one of those states that has opened its doors for the ICPC to conduct peer reviews.
”This level of receptiveness is a testament to the administration’s confidence in its governance structures and its willingness to align with global best practices in public accountability,” Dr. Adebowale said.
The agencies further highlighted the critical link between effective local governance and national stability, noting that when states prudently manage their resources, it relieves pressure on the central government, allowing for a sharper focus on critical national issues like defense.
”If the states function well, the Federal Government can then focus on responsibilities on the Exclusive Legislative List, such as defence, national security, foreign affairs, and national policy formulation.
”Your Excellency, I would thank God for giving us the opportunity to come to Delta State and share our experiences.
”We are here to discuss how government procurement is being carried out at the federal level and to learn from the efforts being made in Delta State; we also look forward to reviewing the progress that has been made in budget implementation and project execution.
”More importantly, it is the desire of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who directed the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to strengthen collaboration with all thirty-six states and, indeed, with local governments across the country.
”This is because we are all working with common resources, and through collaboration, we can ensure the successful delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda to the Nigerian people.
”I am delighted to be here today with my colleagues; we have come, first, to commend you for the good work being done in Delta State and, secondly, to assure you that at the federal level, we are committed to continuous engagement with sub-national governments as our goal is to share best practices that can improve our systems and address any anomalies we may encounter, particularly in the implementation of capital projects.
”We are also here to extend a hand of fellowship to our colleagues at the state level; today, we simply want to express our appreciation for the opportunity given to us by the Delta State Government to visit and engage in this peer review exercise.
”Your Excellency, in a nutshell, we are here to say well done for the work being carried out in Delta State and to convey the desire of Mr. President that there should be stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments.
”In fact, let me quote him correctly. He said, ‘If states function well in the utilization of their monthly allocations, then the Federal Government will have less work to do.’
”It is therefore Mr. President’s desire that we work together with our partners, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to ensure that development is effectively delivered at the state level.
”Mr. President is very passionate about this objective, and that is why we are here this morning,” the BPP Director-General said.
Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, on the occasion, thanked the BPP and ICPC for coming to Delta to see how the state handles its procurement duties and to guide it on how to further strengthen all areas that need improvement, ensuring that the state ultimately gets more value for its resources.
”We are particularly very happy with you and I want to assure you that the Delta State government is wholly willing to partner with both the BPP and the ICPC to ensure better governance; we will collaborate with you.
”This government is a government that believes in value for money; it is a government that believes in the quality of jobs done.
”If you have been following us, you will have seen on several occasions where the governor himself goes out to the field to look at the projects that are being executed, and their quality.
”We do not tolerate shabby jobs here, and I am sure that the two-day discussion you have with us will further strengthen us to make us better,” Sir Onyeme said.
Some of those who witnessed the courtesy call included Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, Hon. Michael Anoka,, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari and Sir Christopher Osakwe, among others.
