The Bill seeks to establish two (2) bodies, The Kwara State Public Procurement Agency and Kwara State Public Procurement Governing Board. This is to enhance probity, accountability, transparency as well as to establish fair pricing standards and bench marks for the procurement and disposal of public assets and services and for which purpose we are gathered here today.

We all know that procurement involves the process of selecting vendors, establishing payment terms, strategic vetting, selection, the negotiations of contract and actual purchasing of goods.

In addition, it is a sequence of activities starting with the assessment of needs through awards of contract, management and final payment. It accounts for a substantial portion of the tax payer’s money, government are therefore, expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of conduct in order to ensure high quality of service delivery and safeguard the public interest.

It is however, the duty of the Hon. House to seek input from the general public to enrich the contents of the Bill so that it becomes widely acceptable to all and sundry by so doing, would be demonstrating our collective and individual willingness to promoting transparency through openness and public accountability.

The Agency, when created will afford ample opportunities for the citizenry particularly, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to participate in the economic opportunities and benefits of public procurement. This I must say is in line with program of shared prosperity and local contents of this present administration. This is a fresh opportunity to openly discuss factors militating against achieving the objective of the Local Content policy and the laws in the State.

It is therefore, very essential that such Agency of Government be put in place and so urge all the stakeholders here present to feel free to speak your minds by contributing meaningfully to the Bill.

Distinguished Hon. Members and guests, I wish you fruitful deliberations as i declare the public hearing open.

Thank you and God bless.