By Jibrin Ndanusa
The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, has temporarily lifted the suspension imposed on several senior directorate-level officers on Salary Grade Levels 15 to 17 for failing to comply with deployment directives.
This was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Zira Nagga, the bureau’s Head of Press and Public Relations.
The statement identified the affected officials as Mrs Okobiah Boyton, Director of Procurement at the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and Mrs Habu Dyaji, Director of Procurement at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
According to the bureau, the officers had previously been issued formal queries for their alleged refusal to comply with posting instructions. Following what the BPP described as unsatisfactory explanations, the officials were suspended and subsequently recalled to the bureau for a period of one month.
“Procurement officers are reminded that we are now in an era of performance-based assessment. Officers can be posted to any Ministry, Department or Agency, MDA, as required to meet operational needs at any time,” the statement said.
The press release further noted that upon their recall, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, convened a meeting with the officers to address the matter.
During the briefing, Dr Adedokun explained that the disciplinary action had been taken to rectify observed anomalies and restore order within the procurement system.
The Director-General emphasised that strict adherence to deployment directives was vital for the effective implementation of procurement processes and to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across all MDAs.
“The disciplinary measures were not punitive for their own sake. They were necessary to uphold discipline, professional ethics and accountability in a cadre entrusted with managing public funds and national projects.
“Acts of indiscipline will not be tolerated,” he said.
However, after reviewing the matter, Dr Adedokun announced that the suspension would be temporarily lifted. He instructed the officers to return to their respective MDAs and resume work with immediate effect.
He added that this decision would remain subject to ongoing review and compliance monitoring.
According to the statement, the move is designed to reinforce strict adherence to posting directives, whilst strengthening discipline and professionalism within the procurement cadre.
“The bureau reiterates its commitment to sanitising the procurement process, promoting value for money and ensuring that all officers operate in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and extant government circulars,” the statement added.
