The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, has reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to supporting the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) in achieving its mandate of enhancing local sugar production.
Dr. Adebowale made this statement during an interactive session with the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, at the BPP headquarters in Abuja. He commended Mr. Bakrin for shedding more light on NSDC’s vision and mandate, emphasizing that BPP serves as an enabler to ensure the successful implementation of the Council’s programs.
Dr. Adebowale stressed the need to adhere to procurement processes which is crucial for the timely execution of NSDC’s initiatives. He highlighted the importance of negotiation, communication, and collaboration between both agencies to achieve their shared objectives. Dr. Adebowale further expressed BPP’s desire to be part of the success story when Nigerians begin consuming locally produced sugar.
As part of on-going procurement reforms, Dr. Adebowale directed all government agencies that all procurement processes must be completed by May 31, 2025, with first hand inspection of projects commencing in June 2025, agencies that submit complete procurement documents will have their requests processed within 20 working days and NSDC’s procurement process strategy plan will be finalized before January 2025, enabling timely implementation as stipulated by law.
Responding, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, reiterated NSDC’s commitment to its mandate, which includes: Developing and managing the sugar industry to attain self-sufficiency in local production, Conducting agronomy and sugar technology research, Training and capacity development and Seedlings and seed cane production.
He further outlined NSDC’s policy development and implementations focus as, Sector policy and strategy development, Sector performance management, Market stability and Advising on tariffs and trade quotas.
Mr. Kamar highlighted NSDC’s key priorities for 2025, disclosing that the Council will Provide 2,500 high-yielding sugarcane seedlings to Golden Sugar Company Ltd, Niger State, ahead of the 2024/2025 planting season, Supply fertilizers, seed canes, and working capital for out-grower farmers, and finalize the ongoing procurement of dredging equipment to accelerate industry development, with implementation set to commence by February 2025.
The session underscored the commitment of both agencies to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance in procurement processes, fostering sustainable growth in Nigeria’s sugar industry.
Signed
Zira Zakka Nagga
Head of Public Relations (BPP)
