Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has described procurement reform as a major catalyst for sustainable development, efficient service delivery and responsible management of public resources.
The Governor stated this while receiving Federal Permanent Secretaries at Government House, Uyo, during their four day Procurement Retreat in Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Eno said his administration strengthened the state’s procurement framework by subjecting contract bids to rigorous evaluation using in house cost estimates. He disclosed that the process has saved the state over ₦200 billion in project costs.
According to him, the savings have enabled the government to execute major infrastructure and development projects without borrowing.
The Governor also highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, noting that procurement, recruitment, gratuity payments and other government processes are now conducted through verified digital platforms. He said the reforms have improved transparency, reduced fraud and strengthened operational efficiency.
On workers’ welfare, Governor Eno revealed that his administration inherited gratuity liabilities of about ₦111 billion dating back to 2012 and has already paid ₦87 billion. He assured that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He added that salaries and pensions are paid promptly, while civil servants are receiving digital skills training to prepare them for technology driven public service.
Governor Eno commended the Federal Permanent Secretaries for advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and urged stronger collaboration between federal and state public service leaders.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson Jack, praised the Governor’s achievements in infrastructure, workers’ welfare, digital governance and public service reform.
She disclosed that 33 Federal Permanent Secretaries were participating in the retreat, organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, also commended Akwa Ibom’s infrastructure and announced plans for a peer review of the state’s procurement system.
