Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged members of the State Executive Council to abide by the public procurement law.
Fubara gave the charge during the Public Procurement Enlightenment Workshop organised by the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday.
At the event, the governor was conferred with the Champion for Exemplary Compliance to Public Procurement Law by the RSBoPP and it was presented by the Special Guest of Honour,Justice Mary Odili (rtd.).
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the governor stressed the importance of public procurement to the commonwealth of the people.
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He said, “As the Bible says, let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your father in heaven. Let our good works shine before the people of Rivers State so that they can have cause to glorify God that indeed the government they have voted into office is doing well.
“That is the time we will begin to celebrate. What we are doing today is very crucial. Every government literally rises or falls on how they practice their procurement. Virtually, everything we do as a government, money is spent and what we are talking about today is how to spend the people’ s money.
“The money does not belong to any of us, and the people need to know how we are spending their money. What we are learning today is the procedure and practices the people have laid down on how to spend their money. We should re-emphasize the fact that what we are doing today is crucial.”
He warned all officials to take the training seriously as anyone found wanting in relation to procurement law will be held responsible.
He said any commissioner or permanent secretary in violation of the law will be seriously frowned at.
Fubara thanked Hon Justice Odili for her presence, consistent advice and guidance on transparency and good governance in the affairs of the state.
He commended the RSBoPP for organising the workshop as he believes in accountability, transparency and the works of the Bureau, while maintaining that the workshop was crucial because the success of government also depends on abiding by procurement laws
Justice Odili said the workshop was appropriate to improve accountability in governance.
She admonished the government on the need for the training to be a regular exercise so that all government and public offices will know what to do when matters concerning procurement are involved.
“It is a wonderful programme and I commend the Governor for making sure that the session takes place. It will enhance accountability in governance as it will bring understanding and opening of minds to what is expected and what the public deserves to know about government funds and money,” she said.
On her part, the Acting Director General, Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, Engr. Dr. Ine Briggs, said, “That despite all the powers the Governor wields, he goes through the process of awards of contracts and passes documentation through the bureau. It is an exemplary effort.
“If the governor can comply, what stops other agencies from complying? We gave him the award to thank him and encourage him to use it as an example to all entities in the state,” she said.
She said the workshop was necessitated by the need to enlighten officials on procurement laws, adding that necessary actions will be taken against defaulters because the law emboldens the Bureau to take requisite actions against violators.