The Chairman of the Delta State Public Procurement Council, AIG David Igbodo (Rtd), has emphasised strict compliance with procurement laws as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) prepare for the implementation of the 2025 state budget.
Igbodo made this known during a recent interactive session organised by the State Public Procurement Commission at the Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
In his welcome address, the retired Police Chief said the forum was convened to promote accountability and ensure alignment with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He described the meeting as timely and necessary, emphasising that the successful implementation of the 2025 budget was a shared responsibility, and that MDAs must take the lead in ensuring that public funds were judiciously spent.
According to him, every naira spent must be justifiable, and every project executed must reflect value for money.
He acknowledged the presence of the newly appointed Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji, who delivered the keynote address and declared the session open.
Igbodo said her presence at the forum marked one of her very first major public engagements since her appointment and signaled a strong commitment to good governance.
However, Igbodo did not mince words about the consequences of the procurement law violations, as he reminded participants that the law provided for clear penalties for misconduct, including administrative sanctions, fines, and in very serious cases, imprisonment.
“While our preference is always for engagement and collaboration. the Commission will not hesitate to invoke relevant provisions of the law where willful misconduct, gross negligence, or deliberate abuse of process is detected”, Igbodo said.
He emphasised that the Commission’s goal was not to intimidate but to guide, support and strengthen the system so as to deliver better services to the people.
The session, which drew accounting officers from across MDAs, featured goodwill messages from Council members and technical briefings on procurement procedures, offences, and the responsibilities of Accounting Officers under the Delta State Procurement Law 2020.
The second session allowed for robust interactive discussions aimed at clarifying grey areas and improving procurement practices across the board.
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