By Douglas Princemola
Local government leaders in Imo State have commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for championing a sustainable procurement training workshop aimed at deepening transparency, accountability, and service delivery across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The three-day training, organized by the Imo State Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence (BPPPI), brought together executive chairmen of all local councils and senior officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
Speaking at the event, held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter, Hon. Ikenna Adikibe, described the training as a “knowledge-driven and impactful exercise” that will help local council leaders manage public resources with professionalism and integrity.
Adikibe, who spoke on behalf of the 27 council chairmen, thanked Governor Uzodimma for his consistent commitment to grassroots development and capacity building. He noted that the initiative reflects the governor’s desire to institutionalize good governance practices at the local level.
Also speaking, Comrade Okey Okere, President of Imo NULGE and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, emphasized the significance of the Procurement Law in promoting transparency and discouraging corruption in public service.
He explained that the training aligned with international best practices, particularly those supported by global institutions like the World Bank. “A well-implemented procurement law ensures due process—from needs assessment and proper pricing to competitive bidding and transparent selection of contractors,” Okere said.
According to him, when followed strictly, procurement procedures help maximize public value by ensuring that limited resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Okere also revealed that although the workshop was initially scheduled to last five days, it concluded in three, thanks to the participants’ quick assimilation of the course content and the effectiveness of the program’s delivery.
Participants such as Hon. Ugochukwu Vitalis Obi (Etiokwe) of Njaba LGA and Hon. Ifunanya Nwanegwo of Mbaitolu LGA expressed satisfaction with the training, praising its hands-on and technology-driven approach. They described the experience as timely and essential for improving local administrative performance.
All council chairmen and senior NULGE officials attended the workshop and widely acknowledged it as a strategic investment in local government reform. Many expressed gratitude to Governor Uzodimma for prioritizing capacity development across all tiers of governance in the state.
