Determined to develop the capacity of more Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs), the Ogun State Bureau of Public Procurement has directed entrepreneurs to register through the e-procurement portal of the State government, created for contractors and vendors to allow them bids for government contracts below N20million free of charge.

          The Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Adesina Olanloye revealed this at a sensitisation programme in Abeokuta and Sagamu, organised for registered and prospective MSMEs operators across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

          Olanloye, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the Council of Public Procurement and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, said it was imperative for contractors, vendors and other service providers to understand their roles and key into value for money initiative of the present administration.

          He noted that there was need to sensitise them on ways of doing business with the State government, how they could bid for contract awards and reduce fraudulent acts.

          In his remark, a Procurement Reform Specialist, Engr. Bashiru Olayiwola, implored all the contractors and vendors to get acquainted with the Procurement Law of the State, as well as have basic knowledge of the internet to be able to operate the e-Procurement portal.

          Also speaking, the Director, Digital Procurement, Mr. Akinbode Ayomikun, highlighted some of the criteria that must be met before they could partner with the State government to include, having a functioning Gmail account, full registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), bank account number that matches the company's name, evidence of tax clearance, among others.

          Responding on behalf of the participants, the Chairmen, Bashlam Good News Enterprise and Value Built Integrated Company, Mr. Salami Idowu and Mr. Alalade Kareem respectively, appreciated the Bureau for the programme, saying it had broadened their knowledge and understanding on the processes involved in bidding for government contract.