04 Dec 2016

The executive chairperson of Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPABD) Ms Bridget John says Ministerial Tender Committee (MTC) members should never allow themselves to be pressurised or subjected to any undue influence from any source.

Speaking during the PPABD workshop in Gaborone, Ms John said ministerial tender committee members were torch bearers in their ministries and should provide guidance where they saw things were not going well.

She said their work was important and demands professionalism, objectivity and independence.

She highlighted that the workshop was dedicated to bringing together all MTCs within government to appreciate progress made in relation to devolution, as well as successes and challenges faced by MTCs with a view to finding workable solutions.

“This workshop also serves as a platform for MTCs to share experiences, learn from each and get updates on issues raised at previous workshops,” said Ms John.

She further said the workshop sought to build capacity and align expectations as they continued to devolve authority as per the dictates of the PPAD Act.

She added that they needed to pay attention to the vetting of Invitation To Tenders (ITTs) to ensure that specifications were thorough and without bias, that evaluation criteria and basis of award were clear and that applicable socio-economic of government were factored in tender documents.

Ms John also said they often hear allegations that tenders were reserved for certain individuals and companies with links to influential people but she said such allegations should remain baseless as any Motswana or company that met tender requirements was entitled to be awarded the tender irrespective of their association, background or status in life.

“Procurement is an enabler hence operating efficiently will yield desired outcomes and we should therefore improve the quality of adjudication and speed up decision making in complaints resolution and ITT vetting,” John said.

She said they needed to embrace e-bidding as it would assist in countering corruption and improving overall efficiency.

For her part executive director –services at PPADB ,Ms Joyce Mokobi said the Declaration by directors and shareholders form had been revised and CIPA forms were no longer needed as attachments to the form.

She said the latest approved scheme of service for procurement personnel allowed the MTC secretary to progress to become chief procurement officer and even progress further to become procurement managers. ENDS