The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken a significant step towards improving its procurement process with the hosting of a symposium on understanding procurement process for optimum organizational performance.
The event, which was approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation, is targeted at tackling the structural and capacity challenges that have hindered the efficient implementation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
The symposium, anchored by Development Issues Consult Limited in conjunction with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), seeks to educate and sensitize directorates, departments, and units of their roles in the procurement circle of the Authority.
The event is meant to equip participants with the knowledge of their roles and extent of their participation in the procurement process, as well as provide them with the relevant skills to prepare needs analysis and timely preparation and implementation of quality bidding documents.
The procurement process is a critical aspect of any organization, and the symposium recognizes the need for all staff to acquire relevant skills to achieve efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money.
The event brought together stakeholders from various departments and units of the NCAA to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in procurement management.
The Director of Corporate Services at the NCAA, Dr. (Mrs.) Rebecca Aghadinazu, welcomed participants to the symposium, emphasizing the importance of understanding the principles and cycle of public procurement management.
She noted that the delay in the immediate startup of procurement processes for capital projects is often due to poor understanding of the approved procurement process by various participants.
Dr. Aghadinazu highlighted the critical need for improved understanding of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) approved procurement process, noting that delays in capital projects often stem from a lack of clarity among those involved.
She pointed out that the Procurement Department has frequently faced criticism for delays and even accusations of procuring inferior goods, despite user departments ultimately certifying the received items.
This, she explained, underscored the importance of clarifying roles and responsibilities within the procurement cycle.
Dr. Aghadinazu emphasized the significant portion of organizational expenditure allocated to procured goods, works, and services, stressing that achieving efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money requires a skilled and informed staff.
She expressed her gratitude to the Director General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, for his support of the Directorate of Corporate Services and the Procurement Department, and for bringing staff together to advance public procurement practices within the NCAA.
