Umahi Meets With BPP To End Project Delays

The Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, has moved to tackle the bureaucratic hurdles hindering timely and efficient evaluation of projects by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The former Ebonyi State governor, who received the BPP Director-General, Adebowale Adedokun, yesterday, stressed the need for seamless bureaucracies in public procurement processes for efficient and timely project delivery.

In a statement by the ministry yesterday, Umahi said for the sector to achieve greater prospects in innovation, efficiency, and economy, there must be a deliberate effort to remove all bureaucratic constraints to project evaluation by the BPP.

He highlighted the Bureau’s core mandates, which include promoting accountability, ensuring consistency in pricing, enhancing contract execution effectiveness, and delivering value for money. The minister urged the Bureau to view delays as one of the greatest obstacles to achieving the Bureau’s objectives.

He said: “We seek closer cooperation and collaboration to enable the ministry to fast-track delivery of the road infrastructure projects inherited and those initiated by the Renewed Hope administration.

“When we came on board, we insisted on best practices and we introduced innovations to ensure we give Nigerians enduring road infrastructure that is fit for purpose. “We therefore need a collaborative resolve to end unnecessary delays in the procurement processes.”

According to him, different procurement methods, including restrictive, selective and competitive bidding measures, are geared towards achieving value for money and effective service delivery. Adedokun said: “The interesting thing about you is that you don’t fail in your duty, which I have observed.

“You start, you end with something unique about you, and you’re passionate about what you want to do. We are glad when you extended the invitation for us to come here.

“We know you see BPP as a worthy partner towards ensuring that Mr. President’s objectives in respect of road infrastructure are achieved timely, transparently, and well-accounted.”