Defence Procurement: Acting Army Chief Calls For Solutions To Bottlenecks
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
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.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede made the call on Thursday, while declaring open the Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Procurement Fourth Quarter 2024 Procurement Seminar in Abuja, averring that solutions were needed to ease the bottlenecks and improve the availability of foreign exchange in defense procurements, which is mainly affected by exchange rates.
Speaking at the seminar themed, “Adapting to Nigeria’s Economic Fluctuations in Defence Procurement: Options for the Nigerian Army”, which the Ag. COAS noted aptly captures the central issue affecting defence procurement in the country at this moment, he 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.
Oluyede, who was represented by Maj. Gen. Sani Mohammed the Chief of Training (Army), said although Nigeria’s economic landscape in the recent past has been facing enormous challenges, significant efforts are ongoing by the federal government to improve revenue generation and optimize efficiency.
“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 said,
assuring 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”, he said.
He also assured the implementation of an effective monitoring process in its contract management, adding that, “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”, which he said demonstrates the seriousness of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that the seminar enhances its procurement process.
The acting COAS warned enemies of Nigeria to make no mistake about troops resolve, as they have never been more prepared and committed to defending the Constitution and the 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.
He said that the NA procurement system had in the last one year 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 stressed 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.
“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.
