The Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) has commended the Governor Babagana Zulum for giant strides and developmental projects executed across the state.
James Amem Kanico, APPON National President led delegation to Maiduguri for its week-long 5th annual conference with theme: “Mainstreaming Public Procurement, Practice for Effective Budgets Implementation” said that Public institutions should adhere to procurement practitioners advise for effective sustainability.
According to him, he made this known when led the participants and accompanied by the Director-General of the Borno State Bureau of Public Procurement, Musa Mustapha to inspected major facilities including the Borno State Teaching Hospital still under construction, the state-of-the-art Trailer Park, the Mai Mala Buni 500 Housing Estate, and the Kashim Shettima Housing Estate and other projects executed by Zulum’s administration.
He pointed out that following an extensive tour of key infrastructural projects being executed under Zulum administration, describing Zulum’s leadership as “visionary, transparent and development-orientated.
He emphatically said, Zulum has set a new benchmark for transparency, prudence and pure dedication to service. We expect many state governments in Nigeria to emulate this great example.”
He said, “We bring all the procurement officers in Nigeria to Maiduguri to show them that the state is not all about violence. There are positive stories here in Maiduguri and we have tour the state have seen a lot of achievements and it is the home of peace. Our advocacy is to allow the certified procurement practitioners to carry out their important assignments for the benefit of this country.
He stressed that, “There are a lot of quacks roaming around and that’s why we are having challenges in building, substandard roads construction, bridges, and others. We are appealing to both public and private institutions to consult and engage with us for the betterment of the country.”he disclosed.
Speaking after the tour, Dr Kanico expressed deep satisfaction with what he called “a clear demonstration of responsible and transparent governance”.
“Today, we have seen with our own eyes the transformation that Governor Zulum is bringing to Borno. These are not theoretical achievements; these are tangible structures that will serve the people for decades.”
Mrs Halima Garba, one of the visiting procurement experts, remarked, “This is how taxpayers’ money should be used—to build schools, hospitals, roads, housing and opportunities for the people.”
The association emphasised that the projects are not only impactful in terms of infrastructure but are also creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and restoring hope among citizens in a region that was badly affected by insurgency.
The acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Babagana Mustapha Malumbe thanked the organisers for choosing the State for this year’s annual conference, pledging that Zulum’s administration would continue to support the associations.
