By Dele Ogbodo
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), on Monday June 24, 2024, stated that the appointment of Barr. Olusegun Omotola, as Acting Director General (DG) of the establishment was in line with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) circular of the 28th August 2019 and therefore followed due process.
The Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations/Head, Media at the Bureau, Mrs. Janet McDickson, quoted the Public Service Rules of the Federation, 2021 edition, No.020105 as stating that: “Seniority in any Department shall be determined by the entry date/ the date of assumption of duty certified by an authorized Officer and the date of present appointment as reflected in the appropriate register and career progression of the Officer.’’
While debunking an online media report that: “Sacked BPP DG leaves chaos in his wake seeks to install a non-staff against President Tinubu’s directive”, McDickson, also while validating the directive from the SGF, in a statement made available to the Media, said: This was in COMPLIANCE WITH THE CIRCULAR REF.NO.SGF.50/S.II/C.2/268 OF 4TH DECEMBER, 2017 ON THE END OF TENURE PROCESSES FOR EXTRA-MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENTS, DIRECTORS-GENERAL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PARASTATALS, AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES AND SUCCESSION GUIDELINES.
She said: “The attention of the Acting Director-General and the management of the Bureau of BPP has been drawn to some media publications, one of which is from the African Gong.com, which stated that, “Sacked BPP DG leaves chaos in his wake seeks to install a non-staff against President Tinubu’s directive”.
McDickson, added that management therefore seeks to clear and correct the ill-reported stories as false and misleading.
According to the BPP Spokesperson, the handing over to Omotola was done on Friday, 21 June 2024, as directed by Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She enjoined stakeholders to disregard the fake information and allow the Ag. Director-General, Barr. Olusegun Omotola to handle the affairs of the Office, pending the time a substantive DG will be appointed by President, Bola Tinubu.
She recalled that: “President Bola Tinubu, directed in a press release distributed by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, which contains the resignation of Mr. Mamman Ahmadu, from office as DG/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau. The statement was made on June 15, 2024.
“The press release indicated that, the Director-General is to hand over to the most Senior Officer in the Bureau, pending the appointment of a new DG.”
The statement added: “The Public Service Rules of the Federation, 2021 edition, No.020105 stated that; “Seniority in any Department shall be determined by the entry date/ the date of assumption of duty certified by an authorized Officer and the date of present appointment as reflected in the appropriate register and career progression of the Officer.’’
Accordingly, the sgf circular of the 28th august 2019, compliance with the circular ref.no.sgf.50/s.ii/c.2/268 of 4th December, 2017 on the end of tenure processes for extra-Ministerial Departments, Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, and Agencies, Commissions and government-owned companies and succession guidelines.
“Paragraph 2, No. B, stated that, “Pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government-owned companies, outgoing Chief Executive Officer, without any form of discretion, must hand over to the next most Senior Officer of the establishment as long as the Officer does not have any pending disciplinary matter.
“No. 3 of the Circular stated that, “it is important to emphasize that, the implementation of the clear provision of the Circular under reference shall therefore not be subject to any form of interpretation using any other indices or parameters, other than as clearly stipulated above.”
It was however, based on these, that, Omotola, was found to be the most Senior Director, she said.