The Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Ibrahim Brima Swarray, on Friday, 24th September 2021, delivered a Public Lecture on the theme “Electronic Public Procurement in Post Covid-19 Sierra Leone: NPPA’S View”, at the Freetown City Council Conference Hall, Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown. The Public Lecture was organised by the Management and Staff of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) at its annual International Business Seminar. The event featured different debatable topics related to international business/investment in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Swarray gave a historical background of Public Procurement in Sierra Leone starting with the composition of the Central Tender Board that was an ado body in the Ministry of Finance responsible for procuring goods, works and services on behalf of all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies unto the establishment of the National Public Procurement Authority in 2004 with support from the UNDP and the World Bank, among others.
The Chief Executive defined procurement as the ‘overall process of acquiring goods, works and services including all functions from the identification of needs, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract, and all phases of the contract administration or the useful life of an asset.
Speaking on the need for the automation of the electronic procurement processes, Mr. Swarray threw light on the manual system of procurement which he said is paper based acquisition that costs Government huge amount of money. He furthered that the current manual system lacks information about procurement opportunities and accurate records keeping.
Mr. Swarray defined e-Government procurement as the use of information and communication technology by Government agencies and bidders in conducting all procurement activities especially the acquisition of goods, works and services. He stated that the e-GP would integrate other electronic systems and relevant government departments or agencies that are connected to procurement such as, IFMIS, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the National Revenue Authority, the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, Corporate Affairs Commission, MDAs, vendors etc.
On the benefits of the e-GP, the Chief Executive explained that the system would enhance transparency, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, fairness, and accuracy in reporting, security of bids, reduced fraudulent and corrupt practices, streamline government process, and save time and energy of all parties involved in public procurement.
He outlined the challenges associated with the implementation of the e-GP in Sierra Leone such as access to electricity, internet, and computer literacy level of citizens, employees of procuring entities, leadership commitment, and resistance to change, existing Information Technology infrastructure within government agencies and the National Public Procurement.
He assured the audience that the NPPA would endeavour to provide training to all person involved in public procurement as e-GP training Centers would be opened in all NPPA regional Headquarters in, Kenema (East), Bo (South) and Makeni (North).
He urged the gathering to use local lenses in dreaming Global. He assured that the leadership of the Human Capital Development Champion, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, and the Country will regain her past glory.
In conclusion, he said, “because of the benefits it brings to the procurement landscape, the NPPA views this as the way forward in post-covid-19 Sierra Leone even though the introduction of such a system (e-GP) has challenges that need to be overcome for the post-Covid-19 Sierra Leone to enjoy its benefits”, he reaffirmed.
In attendance were, the Director Aliue Moigboi of Capacity Building Directorate, Director Alieu Bangura of e-GP and Officers from Legal and Corporate Affairs of NPPA.
