The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has rolled out sweeping reforms in public procurement aimed at boosting transparency, accountability, and efficient use of public funds.
According to Naija News, the reforms are anchored on the Edo State Public Procurement Law and implemented through the Edo State Public Procurement Agency, led by Deborah Okunbo. The agency has been repositioned to ensure that government spending is open, citizen-focused, and free from sharp practices.
Key highlights of the reforms include:
- Mandatory disclosure of procurement records across ministries, departments, and agencies.
- Code of conduct for bid evaluators, requiring declaration of conflicts of interest and recusal when necessary.
- Digitalisation of processes, including automated contractor registration certificates, an upcoming online portal with real-time payment options, and full integration of ministries into an e-bidding system.
- Support for SMEs by breaking contracts into smaller lots, ensuring competitiveness, and guaranteeing fairness in bidding.
- Award of contracts strictly to the lowest qualified bidder, with emphasis on price, quality, and timely delivery.
- Citizen feedback mechanisms to monitor project execution and outcomes.
- Capacity building, with bi-weekly training for procurement officers and partnerships with the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy for broader stakeholder education.
Looking ahead, the government plans to adopt open contracting standards, deploy artificial intelligence to detect fraud, and strengthen citizen oversight while aligning with global best practices.
Governor Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a procurement system where corruption cannot thrive and public resources are maximized for the benefit of Edo people.
