Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has identified procurement reform as a critical driver of sustainable development at both the national and sub-national levels, stressing that transparent, accountable and efficient procurement systems are essential for prudent resource management, quality service delivery and public confidence in government.
Governor Eno made the remarks while receiving Federal Permanent Secretaries on a courtesy visit to Government House, Uyo, during a four-day Procurement Retreat jointly organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The retreat is aimed at strengthening procurement systems, leadership, accountability and effective budget implementation.
He said transparent, accountable and efficient procurement processes ensure that public resources are utilised prudently, improve the delivery of infrastructure and public services, and strengthen public confidence in government.
The governor explained that one of the earliest decisions of his administration was to strengthen the state’s procurement laws and subject public procurement processes to rigorous scrutiny in order to improve efficiency and achieve value for money.
According to him, the state has saved more than ₦200 billion in project costs through the rigorous evaluation of bids using in-house cost estimates before contract approvals. He noted that the savings had enabled the state to execute major development projects without borrowing while maintaining prudent management of public resources.
Governor Eno further disclosed that the establishment of a standalone Ministry of Science and Digital Economy had accelerated the digitalisation of government operations. He said recruitment, procurement, gratuity payments and other public service processes are now conducted through verified digital platforms to enhance transparency, eliminate fraud and improve efficiency.
He also revealed that although his administration inherited gratuity liabilities estimated at about ₦111 billion dating back to 2012, it had already paid ₦87 billion and was on course to clear the outstanding balance before the end of his first term. He added that salaries and pensions are paid promptly, while civil servants are undergoing digital skills training to prepare them for technology-driven service delivery.
The governor attributed the state’s development achievements, including the Victor Attah International Airport and extensive road infrastructure, to continuity in leadership. He described the Federal Permanent Secretaries as “the engine room of government,” commending their role in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and calling for stronger collaboration to attract more federal programmes to Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended Governor Eno’s commitment to good governance, workers’ welfare, infrastructure development and public service reforms, describing Akwa Ibom as “a model of purposeful leadership”.
She said the state had lived up to its reputation as the “Land of Promise”, recalling her National Youth Service Corps posting to the state in 1987 as one of its pioneer corps members. She described the visit as “a personal homecoming”.
Mrs Walson-Jack disclosed that 33 Federal Permanent Secretaries were participating in the retreat. She praised the governor’s ARISE Agenda, citing progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, economic development, job creation, digital governance and workers’ welfare. According to her, “a motivated public service remains the engine for translating government policies into tangible benefits for citizens.”
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his senior technical adviser, Prof. Babatunde Bernard, commended Governor Eno for the transformation taking place in Akwa Ibom State.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, described the Victor Attah International Airport as “comparable to airports of similar status anywhere in the world” and announced plans to conduct a peer review of the state’s procurement system.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Unyime Idem, said the commendations from members of the visiting delegation reflected the governor’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that continues to attract investment and development to Akwa Ibom State.
The retreat, themed “Enabling National Development Priorities Through Effective Public Procurement”, is aimed at strengthening procurement capacity and governance while providing a platform for strategic alignment ahead of the 2026 budget implementation cycle.
