In line with the Ogun State Government's drive to ensure ease of doing business and creating a modality of protection, the state Bureau of Public Procurement has sensitised registered and prospective operators under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

Speaking during the programme at Lisabi Elite Club Conference Hall, Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode Local Government Hall for Ogun Central and Ogun East respectfully, Director of Digital Procurement in the Bureau, Mr. Ayomikun Akinbode said fairness, accountability, transparency and competitiveness were essential in procurement dealings, to achieve value for money and reduce cost, noting that the Bureau was established to ensure that public agencies conform with Procurement Law.

He emphasised that the operators should get registered through the e- procurement portal of the state Government, which had been created for contractors and vendors, aimed to allow MSMEs bids for contract below N20million, explaining that they must have registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with evidence of tax clearance and a bank account, among others, for them to get contract from the Government.

‘’The state Government is committed to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, as they play a crucial role in promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth in the state’’, he said.

Earlier, the Bureau Coordinator, Mrs. Bolarinwa Adebowale, while appreciating the participants for their quick response to the programme, said everyone is a stakeholder in public procurement for growth and development of state.

In his remarks, Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Compliance and Enforcement in the Bureau, Mr. Akindele Akinrinmade said procurement involves digilitalised processes, with time frame to operate, advising vendors and contractors to always visit the Bureau for complaints or clarifications.

In his goodwill message, Director, Appeal Management Resolution and Quality Assurance, Mr. Jimoh Rafiu, stated that procurement practice among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, Service Providers, and Bureau of Public Procurement should operate independently for the benefit of the government and the people, saying, ‘’if stakeholders do what is necessary, the entire state would be better, as 70 to 80 percent of our state's annual budget goes for procurement of goods and services.

Contributing, Director, Procurement Research and Strategic Planning, Mr. Olatunde Kassim stated that Public Procurement Law was enacted to enhance transparency and fair dealings among the stakeholders before, during and after the procurement process, disclosing that the Bureau had a feedback mechanism, which provides opportunity to appraise the socio-economic impact of public procurement on the residence of the state.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr. Idowu Kolawole and Mrs. Kemi Ogunbanke, affirmed that the enlightenment on the procurement process had broadened their knowledge on how to register and bid for government contracts.