By Joy Salami
The Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, in collaboration with Zakad Resource Consulting, has held a two-day workshop for Directors of Budget, Planning, Research, and Statistics across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
The training, which took place at the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Hall in Lokoja, focused on “Understanding the Public Procurement Act at the Local Government Level.”
Declaring the workshop open, the Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Adams Adabenege, described the exercise as part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to building the capacity of local government workers.
Related News
Represented by Hon. Elisha Folurunsho, Commissioner in charge of Establishment, Administration, and Public Service, explained that although the Public Procurement Act was first introduced in 2007, repealed and re-enacted in 2020, compliance at the grassroots remained weak.
He added that though the law was domesticated in Kogi in 2014, implementation at the council level had been slow.
This training is designed to equip directors with the tools to ensure that the Public Procurement Act is fully implemented in our local councils. On returning to their LGAs, participants are expected to brief their Chief Accounting Officers and put the knowledge into practice to promote accountability and due process,he said.
Adabenege stressed that the era of “business as usual” in public administration was over, noting that the Ododo-led administration was determined to align local government operations with global standards of accountability and transparency.
In his presentation, the lead resource person, Dr. Abdullahi Zakari, emphasised that the Kogi State Public Procurement Law 2020 applies to all procurement entities, including local councils. He warned that failure to comply attracts sanctions under Part 12, Section 60 of the law.
The essence of this training is to remind local government directors that they have a key role in ensuring procurement processes are transparent, competitive, and lawful. Public resources must be managed efficiently and ethically to serve the people, Dr. Zakari stated.
He further described budgeting as “the heartbeat of government,” stressing that it reflects not just figures on paper but also the priorities and responsibilities of leadership.
Participants, including Mr. Musa Jimoh (PRS, Okehi LGA), Mrs. Eleojo Agada (PRS, Idah LGA), and Mr. Obademo Ayodele (PRS, Yagba West LGA), commended the initiative, describing the workshop as timely and impactful. They pledged to step down the knowledge gained and ensure procurement processes at the grassroots conform with the state law.
The workshop drew directors from all 21 LGAs, with sessions on budgeting, accountability, and the practical application of the Public Procurement Act
