To proffer solutions to ease the bottlenecks and improve the availability of foreign exchange in defense procurements, which is mainly affected by exchange rates the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has called on critical stakeholders to help provide pragmatic solutions and options for the Nigerian Army to address issues surrounding defence procurement.
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede represented by Major General Sani Mohammed the Chief of Training (Army) made the call today, 21 November 2024 whie declaring open the Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Procurement Fourth Quarter 2024 Procurement Seminar in Abuja.
The theme for the Seminar which is “Adapting to Nigeria’s Economic Fluctuations in Defence Procurement: Options for the Nigerian Army” therefore according to Army Chief it aptly captures the central issue affecting defence procurement in our country at this moment.
General Oluyede stressed that the effect of Nigeria’s economic situation on foreign defence procurement, which is mainly affected by exchange rates, has also become an issue that requires special consideration by stakeholders.
He said it is no news that the country faces economic challenges that have generally affected army procurement process. Nigeria’s economic landscape in the recent past has been facing enormous challenges. Nonetheless, significant efforts by the federal government to improve revenue generation and optimize efficiency is ongoing.
"We are also mindful of the challenges our dear contractors face given the economic downturn and currency fluctuations. These have impacted optimal contract performance with incessant requests for variations from the affected contractors."
He assure participants that the Nigerian Army will continue to reposition the force towards realizing his Command Philosophy.
"We will ensure that all operational, administrative, and logistics requirements are addressed through extensive needs assessment and efficient use of funds to effectively resource our personnel for improved operational capabilities. The Directorate of Procurement has been and will continue to play a central role in realizing this objective.
"Since the last procurement seminar, the Nigerian Army has made efforts to evolve its procurement process with a view to streamlining the process for optimum efficiency. We are implementing measures to ensure that funds for procurement purposes are promptly released to contractors.
"We will also implement an effective monitoring process in our contract management. A committee to review the Nigerian Army Procurement Policy 1999, with due consideration of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and other extant Tax Laws is ongoing. This demonstrates the seriousness of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that this seminar enhances its procurement process." he said
The acting COAS warned enemies of Nigeria, not to make no mistake about troops resolve, as they have never been more prepared and committed to defending the Constitution and our dear country. "We will continue to partner with the Services and other security and intelligence agencies to decisively address all threats to Nigeria while ensuring a conducive atmosphere for economic prosperity to thrive."
He said he has no doubt that the Seminar will help provide pragmatic solutions and options for the Nigerian Army to address issues surrounding defence procurement.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of procurement, Major General Adeyinka Adereti said the Seminar provides a forum for the Nigerian Army procurement personnel to train while also availing a platform to exchange ideas with key stakeholders including registered contractors on contemporary procurement challenges.
Major General Adeyinka Adereti noted that this informed the invitations extended to agencies of government and Nigerian Army registered contractors to participate in the Fourth Quarter Seminar.
"I am confident that your presence and participation would enrich the discussions towards enhancing the Nigerian Army Procurement System.
"In the last one year, the NA procurement system focused on the acquisition of new capabilities and platforms, provision of operational and logistics items, construction of accommodations and infrastructures as well as the maintenance of existing structures and equipment."
He stresses that some of the policies emerging from the various procurement regulating agencies and institutions in response to Nigeria's economic fluctuations further exerts some strains on defence procurement. Hence, this Seminar is designed to enhance participants' understanding of the essentials of military procurement process in dynamic regulating policies.
"This informed the selection of the Theme of the Fourth Quarter 2024 Procurement Seminar which is "Adapting to Nigeria's Economic Fluctuations in Defence Procurement: Options for the NA". The lectures and activities in the Seminar have been carefully programmed to ensure that it addresses the theme while also generating interesting discourse to arrive at workable solutions for the NA Procurement Process.
"We have also ensured a balanced participation in the lectures and interactive sessions to give perspectives from government agencies, relevant institutions, the Services and our respected defence contractors. Our output from this Seminar would no doubt be beneficial to the NA procurement system as well as the Services and other stakeholders in defence procurement." he said
The Fourth Quarter 2024 Procurement Seminar had in attendance the procurement process facilitators from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Finance, the Presidency Bureau of Public Procurement, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian Army Contractors, and senior officers from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Procurement.
Its a demonstration of your resolve and renewed commitment to jointly build and sustain an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.
Since establishing the Directorate of Procurement in 2015, it has continued to raise the horizon in efficiently carrying out its functions while observing the extant procurement policies and regulations.
This has resulted in improved equipment holding, timely provisioning of operational and logistics items for all our operations, and the provision of infrastructure to boost Nigerian Army personnel's welfare and working conditions.