Governor Bello Matawalle has inaugurated a 20-member Council for Zamfara Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure transparency in the award of contracts.

The council, with the governor as chairman, has Ibrahim Furfuri as director general of the bureau.

Mr Matawalle said at the inauguration of the council on Monday in Gusau that it would ensure a more transparent contract bidding, award and implementation, in line with the Global Transparency Initiative.

“The bureau for public procurement is basically aimed at addressing public concern on the poor level of transparency and robust institutional mechanism to ensure the effective and prudent utilisation of public funds.

“The setting up of the bureau is not only aimed at addressing issues relating to government contract award and execution but also winning the confidence of investors,” he added.

He said the 20-man procurement council would approve the bureau’s audited account and periodically review procurement policies’ socio-economic effects.

The council will also provide advisory services to the governor on the government’s procurement concerning annual appropriation, approve procurement guidelines and regulations, and determine the bureau’s organisational structure.

Mr Matawalle stressed that the council would protect the public interest, ensure transparent administration of contracts and other government businesses, and collaborate with institutions that seek to deepen the culture of openness in the public domain.

Responding, the bureau’s director general assured that the members would be guided by professionalism and due process.

(NAN)