The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for implementing procurement policy reforms and digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, Adedokun described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations and improving service delivery.
He noted that the transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms had become imperative as government agencies seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste, and improve productivity.
According to him, procurement plays a critical role in public service delivery, determining how resources are allocated and how development projects are executed.
“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people,” he stated.
The BPP boss stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies to ensure a smooth transition to digital operations. He added that the reform aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of building a responsive, innovative, and citizen-centred public sector.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve knowledge sharing, and adopt innovative solutions that reflect global best practices in governance and service delivery.
Ogbuku stated that the Commission was committed to implementing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region.
He appreciated the BPP for its support and contributions towards facilitating the timely execution of projects, while observing that the workshop came at a crucial period when public institutions across Nigeria were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance, eliminating inefficiencies, and restoring public confidence.
According to Dr Ogbuku, equipping stakeholders, contractors, and service providers with the necessary knowledge would help accelerate development and deliver sustainable benefits to communities across the Niger Delta.
The NDDC Managing Director emphasised that the Commission had moved “from transaction to transformation,” noting that it was not only reforming processes but transforming the region through innovative governance initiatives.
He explained that a key aspect of the reform was the migration from manual procurement procedures to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays, and minimise opportunities for corruption.
“By embracing digital tools, we are promoting transparency, improving service delivery, and ensuring that public resources are managed more responsibly,” Ogbuku said.
Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, described the policy reform and digitisation programme as a critical measure for improving workflow, eliminating inefficiencies, and strengthening transparency and accountability within the Commission’s procurement system.
He noted that modernisation and digitalisation involve more than the adoption of technology, stressing that they also require a change in mindset, reduced human interference, and a stronger commitment to value for money in procurement activities.
Osuji disclosed that all contractors conducting businesses with the NDDC would henceforth be required to use the Commission’s online procurement platform, which would also serve as a channel for stakeholder feedback.
Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Dr. Maraizu Uche welcomed the digitisation initiative and pledged their support for its successful implementation.
He, however, appealed to the Commission to address delays in the payment of executed contracts.
The training workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC,” was conducted across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
