Lagos Procurement Agency seeks further support from World Bank
Onafowote and Ms Ali
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency has called for renewed support from the World Bank to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its statutory functions.
Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, made this appeal during a visit by a six-member World Bank delegation, led by Ms. Nazaneen Ismail Ali, the Bank’s Procurement Practice Manager for Western and Central Africa.
Onafowote expressed gratitude for the Bank’s previous support and emphasized the need for additional assistance in procurement reforms, system modernization, and the full rollout of the e-procurement system across Lagos State.
He also requested capacity-building initiatives, affirmative procurement for SMEs, and exchange programs to boost the skills of Agency personnel.
He noted that since the e-procurement system’s inception in 2019, 140 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been integrated, with plans to onboard 19 more by year-end.
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The integration of technology, he added, has improved transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business in Lagos, enhancing its appeal to investors.
Ms. Ali commended the Agency’s digitalization efforts and encouraged it to formally submit its support proposals through appropriate World Bank channels.
Another member of the delegation, Mr. Ishtiak Siddique, urged the Agency to update its procurement laws in line with recent developments, including the Supreme Court’s grant of financial autonomy to local governments.
The World Bank team comprised Ms. Ali, Mr. Siddique, Mr. Daniel Kajang, Ms. Barbara Ziolkowska, Mr. Akeem Bello, and Mr. Sunday Osoba. Directors and heads of various departments in the Agency were also present.
