Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) has conferred an “Excellent Service Delivery and Accountability Award” on Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The award was in recognition of Danbatta’s outstanding performance and contribution to the canons of the public procurement profession in Nigeria by ensuring that the NCC complies strictly with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007.
He received the award at the 3rd Annual National Conference and Awards Ceremony held by the APPON in Lagos, recently.
Danbatta was adjudged to have led a Commission that is transparent and open and compliant with the provisions of public procurement as enshrined in applicable laws of the land.
In his remark, APPON National President, Akparawa Kanico, congratulated the NCC EVC for his remarkable leadership and ability to inspire everyone around him towards ensuring effective procurement process in the Commission.
He said the leadership finesse and administrative prowess of Danbatta reflected in the impressive growth that the telecoms sector has witnessed as an enabler of growth in other sectors and the national economy as a whole.
Responding, the Danbatta appreciated APPON, the organisers of the awards, for the recognition.
He described the APPON Award conferred on him as “a great motivation to him and the Commission to be more transparent, open and process-driven in its procurement activities.”
Danbatta spoke on the topic, “Implementation of e-procurement in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges”, at the award ceremony.
He said broadband connectivity, driven by the Federal Government, through the Commission, will enhance electronic procurement (e-procurement) that will ensure greater accountability and transparency in governance process in Nigeria.
He said e-procurement is the way to go, adding that the Commission will continue to create the enabling environment required for e-procurement to thrive.
This, he said, would be done through the dedicated commitment of NCC to driving the attainment of ubiquitous broadband connectivity across Nigeria.
Danbatta said Nigeria’s investment in broadband infrastructure is yielding substantial benefits for the country’s e-procurement sector.
He added that it is revolutionising the way businesses engage in procurement processes, especially Government-to-Business (G2B) and other e-government activities.
“With the new administration in the country making broadband connectivity an outstanding pillar in its policy thrust, the Commission would continue to focus on improving broadband infrastructure to change the landscape of procurement governance, and help to unlock new possibilities for businesses and public institutions.
“With improved internet connectivity, businesses across the country now have faster and more reliable access to e-procurement platforms, enabling them submit proposals, monitor tender opportunities in real time, and participate in online bidding process,” he said.
At the event, two members of staff of the Commission were inducted as APPON Fellows.
They are Adejoke Atte (NCC’s Head of Procurement Department) and Bernard Kwembeh, a Principal Manager in the department.
