Since the launch of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement project in October 2022, the Kaduna Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA) has sensitised some key stakeholders across the state.
The implementation of the Affirmative Procurement project required the selection of strategic Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and other important institutions that play major roles in the procurement chain as they play a part in the facilitation of the achievement of the project’s objectives.
Below are the eight key stakeholders that were sensitised on the Affirmative Procurement project:
Kaduna State Facility Management Agency (KADFAMA)
The choice of KADFAMA as one of the key stakeholders sensitised on affirmative procurement was informed by the agency’s mandate. Their mandate involves the award of contracts for both reactive and preventive maintenance of state’s public facilities. The Agency awards hundreds of contracts annually ranging from the supply of stationaries and toiletries to the provision of cleaners and security guards for public facilities.
Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB)
KADSUBEB is a major procuring entity in Kaduna State. Its mandate requires it to procure essential educational goods, works, and services, making it a desired procuring entity for most contractors in Kaduna state. SUBEB was therefore considered to have key roles to play in the successful implementation of the WEE project by creating an enabling environment for women-led and women-owned businesses to take procurement opportunities in Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Disabilities Board
The primary mandate of the Kaduna State Disabilities Board is to coordinate and manage the affairs of person living with disabilities in Kaduna State. In recognition of the significance of inclusion in affirmative procurement, the state disabilities board was considered a key stakeholder to ensure that women living with disabilities are not left behind in the affirmative procurement project.
Health Supplies Management Agency (HSMA)
HSMA is the custodian and manager of health supplies in Kaduna State. Headed by a Woman, Hajiya Tukur Isiyaku, who also happens to be an advocate for women’s rights in Kaduna State, the agency was a strategic choice as a key stakeholder for the WEE project.
Adolescent Girls Initiative Learning and Empowerment (AGILE)
As the name of the project implies, the primary mandate of AGILE is to empower adolescent girls through enrolment in school and economic empowerment. To achieve this mandate, AGILE, through their strategic partners like the UNWomen procures empowerment goods, works, and services.
Secondly being a female-focused project, AGILE was considered a fertile ground for the implementation of affirmative procurement, hence their selection as a key stakeholder for the Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement Project (WEE).
Bureau of Interfaith
The primary mandate of Kaduna state Bureau of interfaith include the promotion of religious harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst adherents of the two main religions in Kaduna State. The bureau has a pivotal role to play in the sensitisation of the public about the opportunities and goals of the Women’s Economic Empowerment through affirmative procurement project.
It is believed that through sermons, religious leaders can mobilise support for the project among their respectful adherents and lay emphasis on the need to empower women for the removal of extant sociocultural barriers that have cost denied them a lot of opportunities.
Planning and Budget Commission (PBC)
The planning and Budget Commission is the backbone of governance in Kaduna State as it ensures the effective planning and execution of government programs and projects. PBC was selected as a key stakeholder for the implementation of the WEE project for certain reasons.
First, the commission is headed by a woman and women hold key positions which signifies the gender-friendliness of the commission. Secondly, the commission is a moderate procuring entity in Kaduna State.
EMIR of Zazzau
Considering the pivotal role that traditional leaders play in sensitising the public about specific ideas, projects, and programmes, the project team visited the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamali. As a gender-sensitive project, it was required to get the buy-in of socio-cultural institutions like the Zazzau Emirate to garner the necessary support for its seamless implementation.
Ministry of Business of Innovation (MBI)
Ministry for Business Innovation is the incubator for businesses in Kaduna State. It is a one-stop shop for business establishment, growth, and development in the state. Its pivotal role in the development of businesses in Kaduna state informed its choice as one of the key stakeholders for the implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement.
