Edo State Govt. Strengthens Transparency, Accountability, Launches e-procurement Portal.

By Lucky Isibor.

The Edo State Govermenmet in a bid to strengthen transparency, accountability and reduce corruption in its procurements, have launched

an electronic public procurement platform to for all its processes.

The Managing Director of Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA), Mr. Henry Imogiemhe Idogun, who spoke to journalists in Benin City during the launch of the system, said the portal has eliminated all forms of human interference in the state's public procurement processes adding that it will enable contractors to bid for contracts from any part of the world.

L-R: Head of Finance and Account, (EDPPA), Mary Ikhajiagbe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EDPPA, Henry Imogiemhe Idogun; Head of e-procurement unit, EDPPA, Ezekiel Obazele and Director of Admin and Supplies, EDPPA, Paul Aigboje during the launch of the state’s e-procurement portal in Benin City, on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Idogun noted that Edo State has taken a bold step towards a better, transparent and accountable system in its public procurement process as the launch will guarantee a fair and seamless process.

According to him, "we are the second State after Kaduna State to go live; I understand that other States are preparing, but we have beaten them to it. Edo is the second State to go live in the Federation as regards leveraging technology in public procurement.

"We are live and can be reached from any part of the World. You can connect to our e-procurement platform from anywhere. The beauty of technology is being able to work from any part of the world.

"A very huge proportion of government expenditure is done through procurement, and studies have shown that if you get procurement right at any level, then you can get governance right.

"Procurement is a planned activity and process through which the government spends a lot of money and we are looking for ways to make it more efficient and effective using technology, which is the right way to go,” Idogun added.

 While noting that the system will reduce human interference that breeds corruption and bias, the Managing Director said, “with this system, transparency is sure. This system will help the state have a transparent process without bias and not allowing manipulation due to human interference.

"The process of evaluating huge piles of documents from bidders who are participating in bidding will normally take several days to complete. But technology will make it easier and seamless, as the result is achieved within a shorter timeframe.”

He said the agency will be having a series of training for the media, civil society, contractors and other stakeholders to enable viable dissemination of information to the general public regarding e-procurement processes using the electronic public procurement system.

While eulogising Governor Godwin Obaseki for his efforts in the realization of the project, Idogun said, "I want to thank the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki whose vision has brought us thus far. He is a dynamic personality; he is not looking at Edo State of today but looking at Edo State in the future. He wants the best for the state and its people.”

On his part, Head of e-procurement unit, EDPPA, Mr. Ezekiel Obazele noted: “Going live brings joy to our hearts as it will ensure transparency, openness and accountability, and help in promoting good and inclusive governance.”