The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, has charged Directors and members of the Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) to uphold the highest standards of diligence, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly in matters relating to procurement and decision-making within the Ministry.
Mr. Enitan gave the charge while presiding over a meeting of the Ministerial Tenders Board in Abuja, emphasizing the need for professionalism, objectivity, and strict adherence to established procurement procedures in all deliberations and approvals handled by the Board.
He noted that the MTB plays a critical statutory role in ensuring that procurement processes within the Ministry are conducted in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and other established guidelines. According to him, members of the Board share equal responsibility in safeguarding transparency, accountability, and integrity in procurement activities.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that fairness and equal participation must guide the Board’s deliberations. He encouraged members to contribute meaningfully to discussions and decisions that affect the operations of the Ministry, advising officials to freely express their views and provide constructive input in the interest of the institution and the nation.
Highlighting key principles that must guide the work of the Board, Mr. Enitan underscored the importance of paying close attention to detail in reviewing all submissions and memoranda presented for consideration. He also emphasized the need for objective and assessment of all documents without fear or favour.
“Members must pay close attention to detail. It is extremely important that nothing escapes our attention. Equally important is the need for dispassionate consideration of all memoranda presented before the Board. Our interventions must remain objective and professional,†the Permanent Secretary stated.
Mr. Enitan disclosed that during a recent engagement with the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), critical concerns were raised regarding practices that undermine proper procurement procedures in government institutions.
He explained that the observations made during the meeting reaffirmed the need for strict compliance with procurement regulations and transparency in all procurement-related processes within the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary observed that many of the issues raised during the engagement were concerns he had consistently highlighted in previous meetings of the Ministerial Tenders Board. He therefore reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing existing procurement regulations and ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted strictly in line with due process.
Mr. Enitan emphasized that the standards being enforced are not new rules but existing regulations that must be diligently implemented by all relevant officers of the Ministry.
He further underscored the importance of proper documentation of all proceedings of the Board. In this regard, he directed the Director of Procurement to ensure that minutes of meetings are comprehensively recorded and fully endorsed, including those from previous sessions, to guarantee accurate and complete records.
Mr. Enitan reminded members that documents generated during MTB meetings constitute official records of the Ministry and may be required in administrative or legal proceedings when necessary. He therefore cautioned that decisions taken by the Board carry collective and joint responsibility for all members involved.
While encouraging thorough scrutiny of all memoranda presented to the Board, the Permanent Secretary advised that submissions which clearly meet the required standards should be processed without unnecessary delays in order to maintain operational efficiency within the Ministry.
During the meeting, Mr. Enitan also announced the redeployment of some experienced Directors back to the Federal Ministry of Education. He explained that the officers are seasoned professionals who had previously served in various capacities and have now returned to strengthen the Ministry’s operations.
Among those who introduced themselves were: Mrs Igwe Amy Director Polytechnic, Mrs. Patricia Ogungbemi Director Technology and Science Education, Mr Amudipe Gabriel the Director of Education Support Services ; and Mrs. Ujiadughe Anne Director of Safe School.
Welcoming them back, the Permanent Secretary expressed confidence that their experience and expertise would further strengthen the work of the Ministry and support the effective delivery of its mandate in advancing Nigeria’s education sector.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
Photo credit: Daily Post