Nosa Osula-Aituamen
The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo says, the future of Nigeria’s aviation sector depends on the implementation of a procurement system that is efficient, transparent, and aligned with global best practices.
Speaking at a symposium on procurement processes, Captain Najomo, represented by the Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, NCAA, Mr. Godwin Balang, noted that the sector plays a crucial role in achieving national objectives, including economic prosperity, infrastructural development, and good governance.
The symposium with the theme: “Understanding Procurement Process for Optimum Organizational Performance”, aims to educate and sensitize Directorates, Departments, and Units of their roles in the procurement circle of the NCAA.
Captain Chris Najomo emphasized that public procurement is at the core of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility, and that procurement decisions in the aviation sector affect airport infrastructure, air navigation services, safety regulations, and operational efficiency.
He urged stakeholders to adopt a procurement system that reduces financial leakages, encourages competition and fair bidding, ensures cost-effective contracts, and strengthens public-private partnerships.
The DGCA also stressed the need to integrate international best practices, including e-procurement and digitalization, sustainable and green procurement, risk-based procurement planning, and stakeholder engagement.
To overcome challenges and support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s 5-Point Agenda, the NCAA Chief urged the need for capacity building, leveraging technology, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and strengthening monitoring and compliance.
“As a regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) fully aligns with these principles to promote efficiency, prevent financial mismanagement, and ensure compliance with national policies”.
The Director of Corporate Services, NCAA, Mrs. Rebecca Aghadinazu, said, the symposium comes at a crucial time, as the delay in the immediate startup of procurement processes for capital projects has been attributed to poor understanding of the approved procurement process by various participants.
According to her, Procurement Department has faced criticism for delays, while user departments have been accused of failing to perform their roles in the process.
She noted that procured goods, works, and services form a significant portion of expenditure in any organization, and that achieving efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money requires the acquisition of relevant skills through proper awareness and sensitization.
The symposium is expected to achieve several objectives, including ensuring participants understand the principles and cycle of public procurement management, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the procurement process.