Transparency, accountability and fairness have been identified as some of the requirements to be adopted for standard bidding documents in procurement activities.

A Procurement Reform Specialist in the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), Engr. Bashiru Olayiwola stated this during a four-day training in the Bureau's Conference Hall, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, on the use of Standard Bidding Documents for selected Heads of Procurement Unit in all procuring entities across the state.

Engr. Olayiwola said it was crucial for Procurement Officers to familiarise themselves with the use of Standard Bidding Documents, so as to ensure bidders for prospective projects comply with the provision of the law, guidelines and regulations to achieve value for money.

‘’There is a need for accountability, transparency, fairness and competitiveness in the procurement process and the adoption of the use of bidding documents that will help in that aspect, as well as to regulate the procurement of goods, works and Services", he said.

In her goodwill message, the Bureau's Coordinator, Mrs. Bolarinwa Adebowale admonished participants at the training to be focused, attentive and utilise skills acquired for effective service delivery in their procurement activities.

On his part, Director, Monitoring Evaluation, Compliance and Enforcement, Mr. Akindele Akinrinmade said the up-to-date knowledge and skills were needed in procurement preparation and usage in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, tertiary institutions and Local Governments.

Also speaking, one of the facilitators, Mr. Jimoh Rafiu, who highlighted the use of standard bidding documents as a way of promoting standardise bidding documents for goods, and request for proposal to prospective service providers by giving equal, simultaneous information and opportunities to all bidders without any bias or errors, to achieve value for money.

Speaking on behalf of other participants, Mrs. Ajoke Usman and Mr. Oluwatosin Adejobi from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and Ogun State Internal Revenue Service respectfully, said the training was an eye opener that would help them in their respective offices.