BY ALEX M VANDY
In 2018, the Government of Sierra Leone through One Hundred Thirty-four (34) Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) spent Seven Hundred Thirty-five Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-one Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two Leones (Le 725,421,857,752) on Procurement activities.
This disclosure was done by Ibrahim Brima SWARAY, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) on 16th June,2020, while talking on AYV television in Freetown.
The CEO further explained that Five Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty-Nine (5,689) Procurement activities across the Board covered the above amount mentioned. He said 94% of the money was spent in the Western Area.
Explaining further on the Regional basis, Mr. Swaray said the Eastern Region did 222 Procurement activities to the tune of 9 Billion, 995 Million, 204 thousand, 816 Leones; the North Western Region did 161 Procurement activities to the tune of 6 billion,676 Million, 105 thousand, 477 Leones; Western Region did 4,530 Procurement activities to the tune of 683 billion, 469 million, 467 thousand, 740 Leones, 66 cents; Southern region did 449 Procurement activities to the tune of 12 billion, 96 Million, 880 thousand, 508 Leones, 56 cents and the Northern Region did 346 Procurement activities to the tune of 13 billion, 498 Million, 739 thousand,794 Leones respectively.
It can be recalled that Mr. Swaray past Monday presented the 2018 Annual Public Procurement Assessment Report to and updated His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on the Country’s spending analyses.
He said over the years most of the time leakages in National spending had emanated from Procurement activities, adding that upon assumption of Office he knew exactly what the government wanted and how to go about it.
The procurement Chief also stated that in line with global best practice they, as a regulatory body, were also mandated to regularly Present to Parliament how they had monitored and regulated Procurement activities across the Country.
“This report has already been tabled in Parliament. It covers how monies were spent in 2018 by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs). We were able to dive into 134 MDAs for 2018. The 2019 process is on-going and we will ensure a detailed report is done. I assure you that year out this report is tabled to you and it will be tabled to Parliament. We are the protective arm in the fight against Corruption because we prevent incidents from happening”, he said.
In his response, President Bio said that he was delighted to have the report because it was in line with his government’s promise to provide effective and efficient running of State Institutions and making sure that monies were properly spent. He commended the NPPA boss and team for their leadership in the New Direction, adding that was a laudable move.
“I want to encourage you to make sure that due diligence is done and regulations are followed and the people’s monies are well spent. It also helps in development planning and knowing how to block the leakages that have created so many challenges in this Country”, he said.
