Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has announced its commitment to partner with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) in efforts to facilitate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy, alleviate poverty, and enhance cost efficiency within public services. This development was communicated by Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the BPP, in a statement from Zira Nagga, Head of Public Relations at BPP.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, during a visit by the PCNGI Programme Director and CEO along with his team to the BPP headquarters, Dr. Adedokun emphasized the Bureau’s crucial responsibility in ensuring that public procurement practices deliver value to the Nigerian populace. He highlighted the potential negative impact on various sectors, such as health, transportation, energy, and infrastructure, should the BPP fail in its mandate, which could exacerbate poverty levels across the nation.
Dr. Adedokun underscored the partnership’s alignment with the first policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which focuses on leveraging local content and indigenous solutions to tackle national issues. He advocated for the widespread implementation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across public institutions as a means to alleviate the financial burden on civil and public servants, as well as the general public.
He proposed that providing special incentives for citizens to convert their vehicles to CNG could lead to increased disposable income, bolster small businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life. He also stressed the necessity of training procurement officers in public-sector procurement practices, which differ from those in the private sector, with an emphasis on compliance, professionalism, and efficient service delivery.
To ensure a coordinated rollout of these initiatives, Dr. Adedokun called for a tripartite meeting involving the BPP, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the PCNGI. Such collaboration would align policies and enhance strategic implementation.
The partnership, according to Dr. Adedokun, will empower the Bureau to make more informed procurement decisions when evaluating requests from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). PCNGI Programme Director and Chief Executive Michael Oluwagbemi expressed gratitude for the BPP’s openness and leadership. He stated that their visit aimed to foster a deeper engagement and understanding of procurement frameworks vital for the successful implementation of the CNG transition.
Oluwagbemi noted that as awareness of CNG grows, so does the demand on procurement systems. He reaffirmed PCNGI’s readiness to work closely with the BPP to ensure that the energy transition is impactful and sustainable. He also encouraged the Bureau to set an example by converting its own fleet to CNG and promoting the initiative among its staff.