ASABA: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday received an Award of Excellence from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in recognition of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
The award was presented during the opening of a two-day Public Procurement Enlightenment Workshop for members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to institutionalise due process and strengthen procurement systems as a cornerstone of good governance.
Oborevwori disclosed that Delta State successfully executed projects valued at more than ₦654.5 billion in 2025 without resorting to borrowing, describing the feat as evidence that fiscal discipline and sustainable development can coexist. He revealed that the state awarded 362 contracts valued at ₦25 million and above across critical sectors, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare and other strategic development projects.
“Our administration recognises that an efficient procurement system is fundamental to good governance. This understanding has informed our efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks that promote transparency, fairness, competition and value for money in project execution,” the governor said.
He noted that the state’s procurement achievements reflected a deliberate policy of prudent financial management and strict compliance with due process, stressing that responsible governance remained the foundation for sustainable development.
“Significantly, these achievements were recorded without borrowing. Through fiscal discipline, prudent financial management and strict adherence to due process, we have continued to fund major projects while maintaining the financial stability of the state. This demonstrates that responsible governance and sustainable development go hand in hand,” he stated.
Governor Oborevwori commended the Delta State Public Procurement Commission for organising the workshop, themed “Understanding the Delta State Public Procurement Law, 2020,” describing it as timely and strategic. He said the procurement law provides the legal framework for ensuring openness, accountability and value for money in the execution of government projects.
He emphasised that public procurement extends beyond contract awards, noting that it is the mechanism through which public resources are transformed into roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, water schemes and other essential infrastructure that improve the quality of life of citizens.
The governor pledged continued support for the Public Procurement Commission through improved funding, manpower development and institutional strengthening to enhance compliance, boost efficiency and reinforce public confidence in government processes.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Bureau of Public Procurement, the ICPC and other resource persons facilitating the workshop, describing their participation as a demonstration of the importance of inter-agency collaboration in building procurement systems that are transparent, accountable and resistant to corruption.
Urging participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the workshop, Oborevwori said compliance with procurement regulations should not be viewed merely as a statutory obligation but as an indispensable pillar of good governance.
“As custodians of public resources, we must remain guided by the principles of integrity, transparency, fairness and value for money. These principles are central to the successful implementation of our M.O.R.E. Agenda and the sustainable development of Delta State,” he added.
Presenting the Award of Excellence, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, commended Governor Oborevwori for his exemplary stewardship of the state’s resources, noting that his administration had distinguished itself through prudent financial management and strict adherence to due process.
Earlier, Chairman of the Delta State Public Procurement Council, AIG David Igbodo (Rtd.), said the workshop underscored the state’s unwavering commitment to institutional excellence, transparency, accountability and compliance with the Delta State Public Procurement Law, 2020.
He noted that Governor Oborevwori’s leadership had translated the principles of the procurement law into practical governance, resulting in the execution of high-quality projects that deliver value for money and durable infrastructure.
According to him, the steady progress being recorded under the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda is closely linked to its insistence on due process, ensuring that only competent contractors are entrusted with the execution of public projects across the state.
