Lagos sets benchmark for Procurement Best Practices in face of economic pressures

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), spoke at the 2024 Procurement Summit, hosted by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos on Wednesday.

The Lagos State Government has stressed the need for transparency, competitiveness, and accountability in public procurement practices.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), spoke at the 2024 Procurement Summit, hosted by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos on Wednesday.

Addressing an audience of state officials, procurement officers, and industry stakeholders, Pedro underscored the summit’s theme, “Ensuring Best Practices in Public Procurement in a Dwindling Economy,” as a critical reinforcement of the 2021 Lagos State Public Procurement Law.

He emphasised that the law mandates transparent and competitive processes across all state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), with no exceptions.

“The law is the law,” he stated, highlighting that any deviation is “null, void, and of no effect.”

Pedro called on public officers, including accounting officers, auditors, and procurement personnel, to fully familiarise themselves with and adhere to the law’s provisions.

He warned that non-compliance is a punishable offence, urging all public officials to maintain high standards in procurement, regardless of economic conditions.

“In both ‘dwindling’ and ‘booming’ economies,” he said, “we must uphold best practices to preserve the integrity of Lagos State’s procurement system.”

Pedro highlighted the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency’s role as a model for procurement systems nationwide and internationally.

He urged stakeholders to continue their commitment to excellence, ensuring that Lagos State remains a benchmark of efficiency and probity in public procurement.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Fatai Idowu Onafowote, acknowledged the complex economic landscape affecting public procurement and urged strategic responses.

Onafowote spoke on the volatility of prices for goods and services, describing the serious implications for those managing public funds in Lagos.

Despite these economic strains, he emphasised that governments are bound by their mandate to uphold the welfare and security of citizens, which places added pressure on public fund managers to navigate these challenges prudently.

“The summit serves as a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm and generate effective strategies that can bolster public procurement in Lagos despite the economic climate,” he said, urging participants to focus on solutions that uphold quality and due process without compromise.

The Director-General stressed the need for robust and adaptive policies to ensure that Lagos continues delivering essential services to its citizens.

Onafowote highlighted the expertise of the summit’s panel, noting that the collective experience of the discussants and attendees would yield valuable insights.

He expressed optimism that the summit’s outcomes would empower the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency to design policies that align with international best practices.

Chairman of the House Committee on Procurement for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Samuel Olufemi Apata expressed strong support for best practices in public procurement amid economic challenges

Apata affirmed the House’s alignment with the summit’s theme, “Ensuring Best Practices in Public Procurement in a Dwindling Economy,” while insisting that economic strains should not justify compromised standards.

Apata assured attendees of the House’s unwavering support for the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, pledging continued collaboration to maintain high standards in procurement that meet the needs of Lagos residents.

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