Muhammad Sani
Kano state Due Process Bureau has organized a one-day sensitization workshop on the implementation of e-procurement solution for contractors, suppliers and service providers in the state on Tuesday.
E-procurement business-to-business, business-to-government or individual to government purchase and sale of supplies, work, and services through the Internet and other networking systems, such as electronic data interchange and enterprise resource planning.
It consists of the e-procurement value chain of indent management, e-Informing, e-Tendering, e-Auctioning, vendor management, catalogue management, Purchase Order Integration, Order Status, Ship Notice, e-invoicing, e-payment, and contract management.
Engr. Hussam Musa Karry MNSE, FNICE who chaired the event said the idea is to have large coverage of businesses to bid for government contracts.
“With the e-procurement, contract bidding processes will be exposed to a wide range of contractors who meet the criteria to apply. All these is aimed at reducing corruption.
“It will also enlighten people on what government is doing in their community and how to be part of the system,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Due Process Bureau, Alh. Abba Mustapha Dambatta said contractors, suppliers and service providers are expected to operate in an environment where technical and social knowledge are required.
“For emphasis, the main aim of the workshop is to acquaint participants on the VENDOR registration module on the e-procurement portal as contained in the e-procurement software in line with the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Program.
“The workshop is to keep participants abreast of the new e-procurement solutions to simplify the procurement processes and procedures in line with the global best practices,” he said.
The new system as contained in Kano state procurement law is to ensure transparent, efficient and effective deliveries of value for money in public finance budgeting and expenditure.
According to the PS, the theme of the workshop implies, “registration of contractors, suppliers and service providers on the e-procurement portal.
“We are reviewing the implementation of the e-procurement solution on the role of contractors, suppliers and service providers and the procurement regulators and as well as the commencement of the e-procurement in the Kano.
“It is hope that you will adhere to the provision of due process guidelines and in compliance with the laid down processes and procedures.
“I believe that participants will become conversant on the new registration module of e-procurement solution for a better economy drive and profit-oriented businesses,” he added.
A participant and Member, Kano State Civil Society Steering Committee, Open Government Partnership (OGP) under the Fiscal Transparency thematic area, Alh. Abdulrahman Abdu said e-procurement is a vital component of government reforms in terms of curtailing contract corruption and giving citizens opportunity to participate in procurement processes and procedures.
“Through e-procurement, we can count on government’s commitment to move into the international standard of procurement and due diligent in awarding contracts.
“It is vital and timely. It is what we can key-in to score the SFTAS program condition designed by World Bank to win a grant of $2m for development projects in the state,” he added.
The sensitization workshop on the implementation of e-procurement solution was attended by service providers, contractors, Kano OGP Secretariat, civil society organizations, People living with disability, citizens’ groups, women and youth groups.
Others are the project manager, e-procurement solution, Alh. Misbahu Ahmad Badawi, Director Local Government Project, Due Process, Engr. Murtala Alhaji Gabasawa, Systems Administrator, SaaS, Technical Adviser, Due Process, Arc. Muhammad Lawan, Kano State OGP Civil Society Adviser, Isiyaku Ahmed, SFTAS focal person, Imam Inuwa Gwale and the FCDO Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) Knowledge Management & Communications Facilitator, Habiba Isyaku Njidda.
