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(LUSAKA TIMES) Sikaneta calls a well organized procurement system

Sikaneta calls a well organized procurement system
September 29, 2007

Government says a well organized procurement system can help in making significant savings for the State in the face of corruption and shrinking budgets. Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta says an effective and efficient procurement system also contributes to good governance by increasing public confidence that funds are well and prudently utilised.

Ms Sikaneta said this in Siavonga today when she closed a five-day workshop for officers drawn from government departments, parastatal organizations and schools who under went training in tender regulations and procurement procedures at Lake Kariba Inns.

Ms Sikaneta stated that in 1993 government instituted reforms aimed at making the procurement system more transparent and efficient , and increasing the accountability of public officers by strengthening institutional capacity.

She said existing procurement systems are full of flaws and are subject to abuse largely due to weak and inconsistence enforcement of the prevailing rules.

She noted that the need for such training workshops cannot be over emphasized if Zambia is to develop.

Ms Sikaneta state that government has placed particular emphasis on improving the procurement process in the public sector by holding such training workshops.

Ms Sikaneta also said the lack of planning in public institutions and the absence of an effective procurement system has led to mismanagement and waste of government resources.

She cited schools and some departments who have approved contracts way above their thresholds.

She said such public institutions have engaged and paid unscrupulous supplies upfront for materials which are never delivered thereby defrauding government.

The permanent secretary said such cases are not only a lose to government and the intended beneficiaries but also to the procurement cadre as their integrity is questioned when such dishonest practices are brought to light.

Ms Sikaneta, who also presented certificates of attendance awarded to the 37 participants urged them to seriously utilize the knowledge to improve the performance of their procurement units in their respective organizations.

And Zambia National Tender Board Deputy Director for Goods and Services Shaderick Shawa disclosed that the institution will soon change its name to ‘Zambia Public Procurement Authority” once government concludes looking at the revised procurement Act.

Mr. Shawa said the changes occurring require that all officers in public institutions and those that fall under it get familiar with their operations.

He disclosed that ZNTB has so far held a series of workshops on tender regulations and procurement regulations throughout the country and is now only remaining with Luapula province.

Mr. Shawa admitted that procurement procedures in many government institution were been flouted and this has posed a challenge to the organization.

He however said under the revised act the organization will work towards eliminating such incidents and make them accountable to the public.

“This workshop is designed to promote awareness on the role of government procurement procedures and tenders regulations as enshrined in the Zambia National Tender Board act 394 of the laws of Zambia.

“It is also aims to enhance participants’ awareness of key concepts principles and practices applicable to government procurement and exchange information on the practice prevailing in our institutions”.

Labels: GOVERNANCE, PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS, WORKSHOPS

posted by MrK @ 6:31 PM