The Bayelsa State Council on Public Procurement convened on August 19th, 2025, at the Due Process Bureau Conference Hall in Yenagoa to deliberate on the use of direct labour, also known as force account, by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The session, with primary objective of stakeholder engagement, sought to define clear thresholds for when MDAs may deploy their in-house workforce for projects. Officials emphasized that the guidelines would ensure efficiency, accountability and value for money in public spending.
Council Chairman, Hon. Maxwell E. Ebibai, presided over the meeting, with Hon. Arron Timiye, Director-General of the Due Process Bureau and Council Secretary, providing administrative leadership. Other members present included Hon. Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Mrs. Biobeiemoye Charles-Onyema, mni, Biriyai Dambo, Mr. Asingbi, Hon. Gentle Emelah, Hon. Selpulou Sa (on TAR), and Hon. Dr. Selyefa Brisibe, Commissioner for Health.
Esv. Moses Teibowei, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, underscored the importance of direct labour in certain projects, noting that the specialized nature of some works makes Agency involvement indispensable.