The Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has intensified reforms in the state’s procurement processes, making transparency, accountability and value-for-money the cornerstone of his administration.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Ituah, the Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA), led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Deborah Okunbo, has been repositioned as the fulcrum of good governance, ensuring that every kobo spent reflects the interests of the people.
Anchored on the Edo State Public Procurement Law, the reforms mandate full disclosure of procurement records and strict oversight across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Key stakeholders in procurement are now required to sign a Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Disclosure before participating in bid evaluations, while officers with vested interests must recuse themselves — a move Ituah said is eliminating collusion, bid-rigging, contract inflation and other fraudulent practices.
He added that the Okpebholo administration has also introduced digitalisation and e-procurement. Contractor registration certificates are now automated and issued electronically, while an online portal with real-time payment options will soon be launched.
In addition, a robust electronic bidding and evaluation system is being developed to onboard all MDAs, ensuring efficiency, openness and equitable access for all stakeholders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“To broaden participation, contracts are being packaged into smaller lots, opening opportunities for SMEs while keeping the process competitive enough to attract credible national and international firms. This ensures inclusivity, fairness and global competitiveness in Edo’s procurement system,” Ituah said.
The statement further explained that the government has strengthened value-for-money benchmarks. Contracts are now awarded strictly to the lowest responsive and qualified bidder, with bids subjected to market-rate checks, quality assessments and timeliness reviews. Projects are monitored through contract milestones and validated with citizen feedback to ensure delivery meets public expectations.
Recognising the technical nature of procurement, the EDPPA is also investing heavily in capacity building. Staff engage in fortnightly training sessions, while a partnership with the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) has enabled procurement officers to deliver lectures and workshops to civil servants, political appointees, local government officials, civil society and the general public.
“Looking ahead, the Edo State Government will deepen reforms through open contracting standards, artificial intelligence for fraud detection, stronger citizen oversight and sustainability benchmarks that align with global best practices,” Ituah added.
Governor Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Edo a national benchmark for procurement excellence “where corruption has no hiding place and governance delivers maximum benefits to citizens.”
