By Abdulkareem Haruna
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The North East Development Commission (NEDC) wrapped up a three-day workshop Saturday aimed at modernizing its procurement procedures, a move officials say will boost transparency and efficiency in how the agency spends public funds.
The training, attended by staff from across the commission, focused on equipping personnel with international best practices in procurement, shifting away from traditional purchasing methods. NEDC Managing Director Mohammed Alkali emphasized that procurement is a collaborative effort and that the workshop was designed to bring staff up to speed with current procurement law and its advantages.
“This training has fostered synergy and interaction between departments and units,” Alkali said at the closing ceremony. “It has provided a deeper understanding of the current procurement law and its advantages over previous practices.” He urged participants to apply their new knowledge to the region’s development and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ongoing staff training.
Dalomi Makinta, lead consultant from MK Square Global Concept Limited, which conducted the training, said it would benefit both procurement specialists and staff from other departments, leading to greater teamwork and transparency in planning. He highlighted key takeaways, including techniques for writing effective procurement advertisements, the importance of adhering to evaluation criteria, a clearer understanding of departmental roles, and the need for suitable work environments and equipment. Participants also learned the nine essential steps of procurement and their value.
“This training will streamline service delivery, give accounting officers full oversight of procurement, and ultimately save the commission time and resources,” Makinta said.
Usman Ali, Assistant General and Special Projects Directorate, underscored procurement’s importance to the commission’s work. He said close collaboration with the procurement team is crucial for achieving the NEDC’s objectives, which include initiatives like the North East Regional Commodity Exchange, digital banking, and small industry development agencies.
“The commission is also prioritizing in-house capacity-building initiatives, with this training being just the beginning,” Ali said, “to enable them to achieve their objectives and make a positive impact on the region.” The focus on enhanced procurement practices suggests a broader effort within the NEDC to ensure public funds are used effectively and transparently in the rebuilding of the conflict-ravaged region.
The Humanitarian Times 