Abuja, Nigeria – January 9, 2024 – The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. A. I. Arabi, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement. He made this statement while delivering a goodwill message at an event organized by the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) on January 9, 2024, at MECA, Plot 2542, Hassan Usman Katsina Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
With the theme “Public Procurement Fraud and Prevention,” the event convened key stakeholders to discuss critical issues surrounding procurement fraud and strategies to enhance public sector integrity.
In his address, Dr. Arabi emphasized the importance of building an inclusive, transparent, and efficient procurement system that serves the best interests of Nigerians. He commended CIFCFIN for its valuable contributions, particularly through its 2023 Country Report, which highlights key vulnerabilities in public procurement and offers actionable recommendations for reforms.
Dr. Arabi further underscored the Deployment of Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms as a crucial strategy for improving procurement processes. He noted that independent evaluations and regular audits are now integral to ensuring compliance with procurement rules and promoting accountability in governance.
The event also featured opening remarks by Dr. Iliyasu Buba Gashinbaki and an insightful presentation by Prof. Sulaiman A. S. Aruwa, both of whom provided expert perspectives on tackling procurement fraud and strengthening financial integrity in the public sector.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Arabi called on stakeholders and citizens to collaborate in fostering a procurement system built on integrity, transparency, and accountability. He reaffirmed BPSR’s dedication to driving sustainable reforms that will enhance governance and promote trust among the Nigerian people.
Abubakar Abdulkarim
Senior Information officer
Strategic communications department