30 Oct 2016

 Procuring entities ignore local empowerment policies geared towards enhancing newly established business and those owned by vulnerable groups, District Administrative Tender Committee secretary (DATC )in Serowe, Mr Keipidile Seithamo has said .  

In a presentation during Serowe branch procurement seminar organised by Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) on Tuesday, Mr Seithamo regretted that procuring entities failed to implement initiatives such as  Economic Diversification Drive (EDD), Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) and Local Procurement Scheme (LPS), thus regressing government efforts to improve the livelihood of Batswana.

He recommended that the procurers should be comprehensively taught about these initiatives so that they could accomplish their targeted purpose, and help grow the local economy.  

Mr Seithamo further enlightened the business community members that the latter initiatives applied only at the cost evaluation stage, meaning that a company should first pass through compliance and technical stages.
He pleaded with the eligible beneficiaries of these policies to make it a point that they met all the requirements in order to reach the cost evaluation stage.  

As per circular number 1, 2016 PPADB, where there was an omission of a document, a request to bring a compliance document by the bidder in 2-5 days must be made, Mr Seithamo encouraged entrepreneurs to bring the requested documents in time.
He advised that procuring entities should have a database of entrepreneurs in their locality.

Also, Mr Seithamo said it was unfortunate that there was delay in payments, which he said led to the collapsing and lagging behind of newly established businesses.

Principal commercial officer, Ms Ellen Galetshetse outlined that EDD faced a challenge as procurers continued to specify brand names and import goods that were produced locally.

Also she said that unreliable suppliers, poor quality products and uncompetitive pricing were some challenges hindering EDD.

She warned the business community that those who benefited through EDD were not allowed to import goods and services to supplement the available ones.

She said non complying enterprises and contractors risked delisting.

Ms Galetshetse encouraged procuring entities to unbundle tenders to open up business opportunities.

Continuous education support for procurement officers, she said was necessary.

Business community who attended the seminar also cried foul that procuring entities disregarded empowerment schemes.

They also said the delay in payments was a source of concern saying that instead of demanding their payments they begged for them. ENDS