For almost a year, the ardous task of overseeing the Procurement Department of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has fallen on the broad shoulders of Engr Bolakanle Kawu, a seasoned, tested and trusted technocrat of no mean pedigree with almost 30 years of experience in the administrative milleau of the federal public service.
His auspicious elevation to the position of Director of Procurement of the REA was received with much delight and approbation by a vast segment of the rural electrification industry, contractors and stakeholders alike who expressed solid confidence in his utmost dedication to the sacrosant ethos of probity, transparency, accountability, due process and the rule of law in governmental operations and activities.
Indeed, a fastidious Engr Bolakanle Kawu does not believe in cutting corners or evading due process in the workplace as it will be inimical to the fiscal regime of the agency or establishment in the long run; better follow the winding, tedious and narrow path and emerge triumphant than follow the wide, crooked path strewn with booby traps to emerge a diminished entity at the end.
As a trailblazing Director of Projects, his immediate past portfolio, Engr Bolakanle Kawu was responsible for the execution of a record number of rural electrification projects, more than all his past predecessors (Directors) put together as he adopted a decisive hands on approach by following up on the execution of key projects, visiting project sites, taking stock of the progress of the projects and calling out contractors who were not living up to expectations. Indeed, a resolute Engr Bolakanle Kawu was obliged to cancel contracts that were executed shoddily as he does not believe in the wastage of taxpayers money or the mismanagement of scarce public funds.
Pleasantries aside, a highly principled Engr Kawu does not suffer fools gladly for long, does not mix business with pleasure and urges his subordinates to either shape up or be shipped out,no more,no less. He reconfigured and repositioned the Projects Department of the REA for a more credible and responsive service delivery to the Nigerian people turning it into the undisputed hub of the REA by most objective standards. Engr Bolakanle Kawu despite his penchant for rigorous hardwork in the workplace is much beloved by his subordinates and colleagues alike due to his fervent commitment to equity,fairness,justice and fairplay in the system, shunning bias, favouritism and cronyism in all its negative manifestations.
Thus those that were technically competent and creatively resourceful in the daily performance of their duties were positively rewarded by the thorougoing Engr Bolakanle Kawu while persistent laggards and chronic malcontents found themselves holding the short end of the stick.
Undoubtedly, the ever consistent Engr Kawu is presently making waves in the Procurement Dept of the REA as he has brought his legendary midas touch to bear in this latest official outing and the pace of work and vibrancy of activities has picked up significantly as staff morale and productivity has gone up to appreciable levels due to the recent operational initiatives and policy reforms introduced by the new Procurement boss. As his action-oriented disposition is legendary, Engr Bolakanle Kawu is decidedly seizing the bull by the horns in his latest elevation, a sure sign that better days are ahead, not just for the Procurement Department,but also for the REA and indeed the nation at large. To God be the Glory.
Gyayoy, a public affairs analyst, wrote in Abuja