Six varsities emerge centres of excellence in procurement, others

The Federal Government is set to implement the Sustainable Procurement, Envirsonmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project for the production of experts in procurement, environmental and social standards in the country. 

A statement from National Universities Commission (NUC) said six federal universities have been selected to host the SPESSCEs for the implementation. They are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; the University of Benin and the University of Lagos. 

The project will be implemented by the NUC; the Bureau of Public Procurement; the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Ministry of Environment as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

It said SPESSE is a multi-sectoral project, with support from the World Bank and seeks to address training, professionalization and research in procurement, environmental and social standards through certification, undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies to support governance, increase transparency and social standard management in the public and private sectors. 

The statement said the project would be launched by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the statement, the SPESSE aims to establish strategic partnerships with leading international research funding, research performing and international capacity building organisations and top performing institutions. 

(Daily Trust)