NPPA Engages Stakeholders On The Way Forward
“I Will Continue to Deny Discredited Transactions,”… NPPA Chief
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) in a heated engagement with concerned stakeholders, held a two days Annual Public Procurement Forum from 11-12th December, 2018, in an intensive dialogue on the theme: ‘Embracing Transformation to Change the Future of Public Procurement’.
The Forum drew the participation of both public and private procurement entities throughout the country especially officers in the sixteen Districts Councils.
In his welcome address, the NPPA Chief Executive Officer, Ibrahim Brima Swarray told the audience that the forum is a dialogue discussion about upholding procedures that will help the NPPA strategize to minimize leakages as the Institution enters the much effective work of the soon year 2019.
“Before this time qualified practitioners were not given the free hand to adhere to the discipline the institution entails, thus, the NPPA remained dormant, becoming a victim of odd consequences as it could not stop the nefarious acts of state looters,” he said.
The NPPA Chief implored all to put hands together to actualize the President’s dream of stopping public wastage.
Chairperson of the forum Mrs. Georgiana Kamara, Director of public Sector Reform called on stakeholders to work in the spirit of the New Direction of upholding integrity to deliver quality services.
“Even though there are opponents in any good venture but the spirit of determination will make a way through,” she said.
In his key note address, SLPP Secretary General, Umaru Napoleon Koroma who stood on the shoes of the absent Finance Minister said, improving the economy and the lives of the ordinary Sierra Leonean is in line with the President’s view as the call of his campaign train during the election ought to be the heart-beat of the NPPA.
“President Julius Maada Bio promised to cut down wastages and works towards integrating internal revenue driven agenda, now we are seeing the fulfillment of his pledge. The government is open to listen from any sector as the New Direction has nothing to hide but keying to transparency and accountability,” he said.
European Union Representative, Daniel Grotino in his contribution spoke of his passion to attend the forum intimating that, the NPPA ought to be independent in executing its acts that it could squarely envisage the forwardness of encouraging competition in public expenditure.
“The bye-laws should be transparent with good interaction of all concerned. A collective working spirit can catalogue the financial basket of the nation of which more than 70% passes through the NPPA,” he said.
Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce (SLCC) Representative, Christopher John Froster, said for his Institution to thrive it largely depends on the efficiency of the NPPA as SLCC’s quests to see professionalism and ideal business environment in both private and state finances.
In his lecture to the audience, the NPPA Chief implored his colleagues to disregard personal interest for genuine service to the country.
“I still stand by what I pledged to my service that, I will continue to deny discredited transactions in my office,” he vowed.
The gathering of procurement hinted on the need to harmonize their salaries, but to this the NPPA Boss was quick to caution that, government heartbeat is harmonization of the salaries of public servants of which the NPPA is not exempted. He however beseeched his coworkers to return and reform the ethics of their offices to win the confidence of concerned stakeholders, thereby committing him to approach the appropriate headquarters on their behalf.
Other members in the forum who gave meaningful contributions were Director of Public Procurement Directorate, Mr. Mohamed J. Musa, representatives from Civil Society Groups, Parliament, Human Resource Management Office, among others.
By Alhassan Bangura
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2018, https:. All rights reserved.
