The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has just concluded a three-day workshop in Maiduguri, designed to modernise its procurement procedures.
The programme, which was designed to equip the officers with international best practices in procurement, was attended by staff from various departments of the commission.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Saturday, NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, said participants now understand procurement is a collaborative undertaking.
He explained the workshop was designed to bring staff up to speed with international best practices in procurement law, moving away from traditional purchasing and supply approaches.
Alkali noted the value of the synergy and interaction between departments and units fostered by the training.
He added that it provided a deeper understanding of the current procurement law and its advantages over previous practices.
He urged participants to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of the North East region. He also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to continuous staff training, ensuring they maintain top-notch professional standards to effectively execute the NEDC’s mandate.
Dalomi Makinta, lead consultant from MK Square Global Concept Limited, said the training would benefit procurement specialists and staff from other departments.
He anticipates greater teamwork and transparency in planning. Mr Makinta listed key takeaways from the workshop: techniques for effective advert drafting, the importance of adhering to set criteria, a clearer understanding of departmental job functions and schedules, and the rationale for a suitable work environment and equipment during evaluations.
Participants also gained a comprehensive understanding of the nine essential steps of procurement and their added value.
Mr Makinta stated the training would streamline service delivery, give accounting officers full oversight of procurement, and ultimately save the commission time and resources.
Speaking, Usman Ali, the Assistant General and Special Projects Directorate said procurement is a crucial aspect of their work, and close collaboration with the procurement team is essential to achieve the commission’s objectives.
“The commission has various initiatives aimed at promoting development, such as the North East Regional Commodity Exchange, digital banking, and small industry development agencies, which require the support of the procurement unit to ensure proper implementation.
“The commission is also prioritizing in-house capacity-building initiatives, with this training being just the beginning, to enable them to achieve their objectives and make a positive impact on the region.
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