Mamman Ahmadu, the Director General Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has said that the BPP will deploy the use of modern technology in public procurement to further the reform process. The matrix is a digital way to go to categorise and classify a contractor, consultant and service provider in their areas of competence for effective performance without any intrusion into other areas.
The DG stated that the essence of the categorisation matrix is to professionalise the public procurement process, highlighting the fact that the era of ‘general contractor’ practice can no longer be encouraged. The situation where a single contractor claims to have proficiency in all fields is to make a mockery of the procurement process and that will no longer be encouraged.
The DG, BPP at the 4th Zonal Stakeholders Interactive Workshop on the Development of the Category Matrix for the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers (CCSP) in Port Harcourt today in a speech delivered by his representative, Mr. Jemilu Abdulahi of Regulations and Database of the BPP stated that Nigeria has also joined the rest of the world to ensure that the best global practices in public procurement process is strictly adhered. He emphasised going digital will allow for more participation, efficiency and transparency in the procurement system and will also deepen the reform process.
Mamman Ahmadu further emphasised the need for all the professional bodies to be fully involved in the reform process. He stated that the Public Procurement Act (PPA, 2007) Sections 5j, 5q and 6j dictate the need for Classification, Categorisation of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers (CCSP) in order to enhance specilalisation, high performance in public procurement and reduce cost of tendering.
Ambassador (Dr.) William I. Odemwingie, the patron of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply International, South – South/South – East Zone of Nigeria present at the Interactive Stakeholders Workshop submitted that the interest of the body in line with the categorisation and classification matrix is to ensure that transparency and high ethical standard is upheld in public procurement process.
In the same vein, Dr. Chukwudi I.E. Ezi, the Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors stated that the matrix is a welcome development in that it will allow for separation of responsibilities and roles to give room for professionalism by ensuring that a contractors/consultants and service providers will practice in their area of specialisation without encroaching on other professional competence of others in the procurement process.
Engr. Nebolisa Emordi, former Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transport and the State House, the chief executive of Ideas and Visions Consultancy Limited in collaboration with BPP on the Categorisation Matrix emphasised that it is an anti-corruption strategy that will allow for the ease of doing business in line with the open government partnership. He further highlighted that it will articulate timeliness and further prevent corruption in the procurement process.
Segun Imohiosen
Chief Press Secretary/Head Media & Public Relations (BPP)
