The Second edition of the Nigeria Army Procurement seminar commenced on Thursday in Abuja with a theme: “Optimizing Nigerian Army Operational Capabilities Through An Effective Procurement System”.

The cardinal purpose of the seminar is to sensitise officers for effective procurement process in the army.

The event which was heralded by a military fanfare recorded the presence of top military brass, legislators, procurement directors and civil societies organisation.

Delivering his welcome address, the Director of Procurement, Army Headquarters, Brigadier General E. T Essien thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for his unflinching support.

He appreciated Buratai commitments for approving the resources utilised for the hosting of the seminar.

Essien said the major objective of the seminar is to develop the capacity of Nigeria Army personnel in procurement procedures in accordance with the Public Procurement Act of 2007.

“The Army Headquarters Procurement seminar is a very important event organised by the Directorate of Procurement Office of the Chief of Army Staff in line with the Nigeria Army training directive 2018.

“It is imperative to note that the second edition is necessitated by the gains achieved from the successful conduct of the first edition held in August 2017,” he maintained.

Buratai in his opening remarks acknowleged the streaming support of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

He said the procurement office is a very important and strategic department in any organisation, sharing his wealth of experience, when he was the Director of Procurement in Defence Headquarter.

The Army Chief maintained that the theme of the seminar is quite unique and significant to the recent security challenges in the country.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring support and encouragement at combating the numerous security threat facing the nation.

“The choice of the theme is quite unique and and significant, especially in view of the acute need to strengthen the capacity of the Nigeria Army towards meeting the growing security challenges of our times.

“The security challenges facing our dear country manifest in the forms of terrorism, insurgency, separatist movements and and banditry amongst others.

“In the past few years, the Nigeria Army has no doubt taken robust steps enhancing its procurement plans and processes with a view to meeting its over aching constitutional roles.

“I would like to place our most profound gratitude to Mr President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring assurances, support and encouragement,” he said.

Buratai pledged the unalloyed commitments of the Nigeria Army towards ensuring national security with a high degree of enthusiasm and acceptability.
Cross section of participants at the event

On his part, the Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, House Committee on Army, Rimande Kwewum, while delivering his keynote address maintained that the seminar will provide the platform for deeper reflections.

According to Shawulu, in the past two years the National Assembly had sought for improved budget and funding for the Nigeria Army which is streamlined to ensure stability and credibility.

“The House Committee on Army is delighted to identify with the Nigerian Army and in particular the efforts to create transparent and accountable procurement system to support the increasing operational responsibilities and duties.

“The 8th Assembly of the National Assembly in trying to ensure that the military is empowered to operate optimally, increased the budgetary allocations to the Armed Forces in the last two budget sessions.

“Unfortunately, the reality of life and of our current economic situation is far from being adequate even at the best of times, our economic fortunes have witnessed a downward trends,” he lamented.

The lawmaker frowned at allegations and counter accusations concerning accountability of funds allocated to the army opining that it the ugly trend has “continued to hamper the efforts to open new windows of funding”.

The two day event is scheduled to end tomorrow in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.