Director-General, Due Process and Project Monitoring Bureau, Mallam Ado Hussaini speaking at the training session		A cross-section of participants at the training session

Jigawa State Government has inaugurated the Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS) implementation committee, following a 2-day intensive training program facilitated by the State Due Process and Project Monitoring Bureau (DPPMB) and the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL).

Director-General of the Due Process and Project Monitoring Bureau, Mallam Ado Hussaini, who inaugurated the committee on behalf of the State Government enjoins members of the committee to be dedicated and embrace the highest level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties as stipulated in their Terms of Reference. He stated that there are high expectations from the committee hence, the rigorous screening process that led to the appointment of its members. "We have selected some of the best, mid-level personnel to drive this process given the premium placed by the State in ensuring accountability in the procurement process across sectors" - he said.

PERL Consultant, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, leading the session  on OCDS  process guideline
Group Presentation Activity

Concerted efforts have been made in the last three years to consolidate on the gains of procurement reforms in Jigawa State as supported by DFID PERL and its predecessor programs SPARC and SAVI, with a focus on strengthening existing procurement mechanisms by embracing transparency and accountability in Government contracting systems and processes. PERL had earlier supported the State in the review of its procurement law in compliance with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) model.

Other areas of PERL’s support include the review of Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs), training of citizen groups and indigenous contractors on the use of the SBDs, establishment of a procurement cadre in the core civil service, development of a framework contracting model, facilitation of citizens engagement in project monitoring and the development of procurement guidelines among others. Implementing the Open Contracting Data Standard in the State will further enhance the coordination of procurement-related data and make information more accessible to stakeholders.

The Reform Manager of PERL in Jigawa State, Mallam Abubakar S. Dalha expressed his satisfaction on the level of commitment of the Due Process Bureau to the reform process and pledged further support to the State in ensuring that the desired results are achieved. Speaking further, he urged the committee members to remain dedicated to the implementation of OCDS in the State, considering its importance in accessing grants from the World Bank’s States Financial Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) program.