28 Jan 2019

Outgoing executive chairperson of Public Procurement and Assert Disposal Board (PPADB), Ms Bridget John has been described as a strategist and competent in executing her duties.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Finance and Economic Development during a farewell dinner for Ms John, deputy secretary, finance and administration in the ministry, Ms Ellen Madisa said Ms John has achieved many initiatives and awards while at the helm of PPADB. The initiatives include the formulation of two strategic plans covering the periods 2013-2018 and 2018-2022 respectfully.

The strategic plan was successfully implemented while the current one is under implementation. The documents, she said, gave strategic direction and intentions of the organisation, thus making it possible for her to steer and direct the board towards the vision of being the centre of excellence in public procurement, which PPADB aspires to be as an organisation.

Ms Madisa further said PPADB was awarded the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply accreditation (CIPS) in 2018, Quality Management Service certificate (QMS) in 2013 under the international ISO quality standard 9001:2008, demonstrating PPADB’s commitment to providing quality services to its customers.

In 2016, the organisation successfully transitioned into 9001:2015, becoming the first organisation to be re-certified and one of the first three to be certified under the new standard. The organisation was further introduced to the Integrated Procurement Management Systems (IPSMS) providing services for online contractor registration which led to the introduction of e-bidding in the 2017/18 financial year.

Under Ms John’s stewardship the organisation opened its second office in Francistown and a mobile office in 2018, ensuring greater outreach and taking services to the people.

Ms Madisa added that under Ms John’s leadership,  she made it possible for PPADB to collaborate with numerous institutions to enhance its learning experience and improve its services such as Botswana Accountancy College, University of Botswana, The World  Bank and the United States Trade and Development Agency among others.

Ms John’s former colleages Mr Kgakgamatso Ketshajwang, Ms Julia Ditlhong and Ms Joyce Montwedi described her as a humble, hardworking person who shunned late coming as she was always punctual.

Ms Montwedi, who is an office assistant, forewarned officials and staff at the Ministry of Basic Education, where she is going to assume the position of permanent secretary, to up their game as she did not tolerate complacency, although she was a considerate person.

For her part, Ms John thanked the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and government for having entrusted her with the responsibility to lead PPADB for the past eight years, noting that she and her team had enjoyed working with the ministry.

Ms John, however, confessed that work at PPADB was not easy, but that through assistance of the ministry they prevailed. On a positive noted, she said over the years their subventions have grown from about P30 million in 2011/12 and to about P70 million in 2018/19. She noted that the increase allowed the PPADB to execute its strategies and address other needs.

The organisation also engaged in generating its own income which stood at P2.8 million in 2011/12 to P14.3 million in 2017/18.

Ms John further said she was hopeful that the ministry would avail funding for the refurbishment of the old office building and improve its work environment.
She also thanked her board, management and the entire PPADB family as they played a role in ensuring that she succeeded in her duty. Ends