Lagos urges procurement officers to drive sustainable development
The Lagos State Government has urged procurement officers to pursue goals that support sustainable development and strengthen public service delivery.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, gave the charge on Thursday at the Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) third capacity-building workshop in Lagos.
Salu-Hundeyin, represented by Mrs Toyin Ogunlana, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet office, said procurement officers are central to ensuring development-driven outcomes and efficient, sustainable performance.
According to her, when procurement is done properly, roads are not just completed but durable, and hospitals are not just equipped but functional.
“In essence, procurement officers translate policies into sustainable outcomes,” she said.
Dr Emem Kanico, APPON National President, said the workshop aimed to keep members aligned with global best practices and evolving trends.
Kanico said the theme, ‘Strengthening Procurement Systems for Sustainable Development’, highlights the foundation of effective service delivery, tools, and public works.
He warned that failure to follow procurement rules would harm Nigerians, who ultimately bear the consequences of poor implementation.
“At every point, we must strengthen practitioners’ capacity to perform maximally for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He urged officers to embrace transparency, ethical values, and best practices to justify public trust and salaries.
Earlier, Mrs Morenike Olawole, APPON Lagos Chairman, said growing demand for good governance has increased responsibilities on procurement officers.
Olawole said it was no longer enough to follow procedures, stressing the need to align with global standards and ensure value for money and sustainability.
