The Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement Barr. Olusegun Omotola has pointed out that, the 2007 Procurement Act and law gives room for all gender to participate in procurement process in MDA’s without bias, pointing out that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR encourages Local Content in handling government business based on Executive Orders 3 & 5.
The Ag. DG made this clarification, when Women Economic Empowerment Affirmative Procurement Training (COHORT4) paid him a Courtesy Visit in his office recently.
Barr. Omotola said, the law has already spelt out how every process can be for individuals or groups seeking for government contracts, adding that, any firm that possess the criteria set out can bid, and if qualified, will be awarded a project, as “The law is gender blind”. He said.
He urged the women to mobilize themselves in numbers, register with CAC, and ensure they fulfil their obligations to pay taxes, pension and other social security as required in Section 16(6) of PPA, 2007. He added that, they should also ensure that they build their technical and financial capacities to enable them participate in public procurement processes.
He further explained that, BPP is in the process of developing a portal that will classify and categorize contractors, suppliers and service providers into different classes based on their capacities and information supplied into the system. This classification automatically qualifies contractors, suppliers and service providers to bid for projects within their category. He said that, the categorization matrix would be launched soon.
The Ag. DG urged the women to educate and enlighten other women to bid for works they can handle. He encourages them to visit the BPP’s website on www.bpp.gov.ng and go through the Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) for more understanding.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Yetunde Aiyela, said, they came to seek for partnership and to obtain some clarifications on how women can be involved in participating in bidding for government contracts. Adding that, women are seen to be neglected in that area, they want the Bureau to support them, stressing that, women want to add more value in governance.
Janet McDickson
DD, Information and Public Relations/Head, Media
BPP.
