17 Jul 2014

Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) to develop a certificate course in Public Sector Procurement and Tender Process Management.

Speaking at the signing and launching of the certificate programme on July 14, BAC executive director Mr Michael Lesolle said the MoU marks another milestone for the college as a premium learning institution.

Mr Lesolle said the course will provide professionals within the procurement function in the public sector with the skills to effectively manage the function within their organizations. “It is designed to enhance skills in delivering the objectives of the PPADB Act and regulations,” he said.

The graduates of the six months’ programme will be able to effectively, efficiently and economically carry out their procurement duties in their respective organization and government department, he added.

“We are always proud to explore professional programmes which continuously respond to the demands of the public and private sector,” he said.

He said they are continuously striving to towards excellence by closing skills gaps in the economy.

Mr Lesolle noted that by joining forces with PPADB they will be serving their government and continuously striving to achieve excellence by closing existing skills gaps in the economy.

He said the partnership aims to eliminate poor procurement and tender management practices that are currently identified as major challenges breeding inefficiencies and wasteful expenditure in Botswana’s public sector.

For her part, the executive chairperson of PPADB, Ms Bridget John said they are entering into a strategic relationship to create a more formal approach to capacity building of procurement personnel throughout the public sector as a step towards the professionalisation of procurement within the country.

She said by entering into such partnership with a reputable institution such as BAC, they would be able to effectively support procurement capacity building in the public sector which facilitates the devolution process by ensuring that those entrusted with the procurement function are competent to achieve value for money procurement.

Ms John further called on all ministries, parastatals and other entities conducting public procurement to make use of the training opportunity and up skill their officers. ENDS