The Ogun State Government has approved the inclusion of civil and public servants in the Ogun State Agricultural and Multi-Purpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA) Agricultural Loan Scheme as part of efforts to boost food production and strengthen transparency in public administration.
Governor Dapo Abiodun approved the extension of the agricultural loan facility to workers in the state civil service to encourage participation in farming and support the administration’s poverty alleviation drive.
According to a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, the initiative is aimed at tackling food scarcity while empowering workers who are already engaged in agricultural activities.
The circular explained that the loan scheme is specifically designed for confirmed civil and public servants who are actively involved in agricultural businesses.
To qualify for the facility, interested officers must have been confirmed in service and must have either spent a minimum of three to five years in service or have at least five years remaining before retirement.
“With the approval, the governor has directed OSAMCA to extend the Agricultural Loan Scheme to civil and public servants who are engaged in agricultural businesses,” the circular stated.
It further disclosed that the interest rate on the loan facility has been reduced from 18 per cent to 15 per cent. The repayment will be deducted monthly from the beneficiaries’ salaries, while the loan is expected to be self-guaranteed.
Eligible officers have been advised to register their interest at the office of the Director of Administration and Supplies at OSAMCA, located at Room 356, Block B, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Bureau of Public Procurement has organised a two-day capacity-building programme for selected heads of procurement units across government entities in the state.
The training, held at the bureau’s conference room in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, focused on the use of Standard Bidding Documents and other procedures aimed at strengthening transparency and compliance with procurement regulations.
Speaking during the programme, the bureau’s coordinator, Bolarinwa Adebowale, said the training was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of procurement planning, preparation of bidding documents, and adherence to the state’s procurement law.
“This training has been organised to strengthen compliance, ensure transparency and promote uniformity in procurement practices across all government entities,” she said.
A procurement reform specialist and facilitator at the training, Bashiru Olayiwola, explained the processes involved in the selection of consulting firms, noting that consultancy services involve professional advice and studies rather than the supply of goods.
He added that quality and cost-based selection methods remain the default approach, requiring separate technical and financial proposals.
Olayiwola also guided participants through the use of standard bidding documents for works, highlighting key requirements such as liquid assets, bid security, performance security and liquidated damages.
According to him, adherence to these procedures would help sanitise the procurement process and reduce the incidence of abandoned or substandard projects.
The training featured practical group exercises on the preparation of tender documents for the procurement of goods and works, allowing participants to apply the knowledge gained to real-life scenarios.
Participants, including Ayorinde Jowosimi from the Ministry of Rural Development and Ajoke Kasali from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, commended the bureau for organising the training, saying it had significantly improved their understanding of procurement procedures in the public sector.