Procurement professionals in Lagos State have reiterated the need to embed sustainability, efficiency, and accountability into public procurement processes to maximise value and reduce waste.
Eko Hot News reports that the call was made at the conclusion of a two-day retreat organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) for officers in the procurement professional cadre.
The retreat, themed “Public Procurement in Lagos State: From Strategic Planning to Sustainability – The Road Map,” was held at Cordis Hotel, Ikeja, and focused on repositioning procurement practice in line with modern sustainability standards.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of LSPPA, Mr Fatai Idowu Onafowote, said the retreat was designed to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He noted that limited resources require more strategic decision-making, stressing that sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability, must now be central to procurement planning and execution.
Mr Onafowote urged procurement officers to re-strategise existing practices, embrace innovation, and address public scepticism through transparency and professionalism.
He added that public procurement remains a strategic economic tool, capable of delivering long-term social and economic benefits when properly managed.
Also speaking, the Director of Monitoring and Compliance, Mrs Bola Adeniran, encouraged officers to continuously upgrade their skills, embrace technology, and remain committed to excellence to enhance their relevance within the public service.
She emphasised that procurement professionals must add value to governance by supporting efficiency and economic growth.
Earlier, the Head of Procurement at LSPPA, Mr Subair Moruf Akintunde, described procurement officers as sustainability champions, noting that the retreat was organised to reinforce responsible procurement and environmental consciousness.
He urged participants to improve efficiency within their MDAs while safeguarding public interest and environmental protection.
The facilitator, Mrs. Cima Sholotan of Harleyreed, guided participants on practical approaches to sustainable procurement, encouraging them to consider the social and environmental impact of procurement decisions.
Participants described the retreat as timely, noting that it provided practical tools for integrating sustainability into daily procurement activities across Lagos State.
