On Friday, 9th July 2021, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) launched the 3rd Quarter 2021 Public Procurement Price Norm at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in Freetown.

The Price Norm is a control mechanism tool drawn from a holistic market survey of commonly used items but does not seek to control the prices in the market. Its overall objective is to bring uniformity in prices across MDAs in undertaking their procurement and to ensure value for money.

The Chairman, Board of Authority, Alfred H. Kandeh in his statement said the publication of the Price Norm has become a routine over the past three years. He stressed that the Price Norm should not only guide the procurement practitioner, but its use is mandatory.  He stated that the practice of procurement should be taken seriously, adding that the procurement practitioners should not only be consulted for advice when there is a problem but should be part of management to provide technical advice to vote controllers.

He intimated that the Chief Executive has elevated procurement to the highest level by replacing the Procurement Unit with a directorate within the NPPA, whilst imploring other entities to emulate same. He concluded by encouraging procurement practitioners to use the Price Norm effectively and to make contribution to subsequent publications.

The representative of the Acting Director of the Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Abubakar Turay, in his statement emphasized the relevance of the Price Norm in guiding procurement practitioners in their day-to-day activities and confirmed that they have been using the Price Norm correctly. He appreciated the efforts of the Authority in transforming the public procurement landscape and disclosed that the leadership of the Chief Executive has created an indelible mark on public procurement that even his critics are in awe of the positive strides they see, adding that with the transformation of public procurement, procurement practitioners are now being considered when critical decision are made. He stated that the Price Norm has answered audit queries raised regarding public procurement. He concluded by calling on the Authority to be publishing the Annual Procurement Assessment Report.

In his Keynote Address, the Chief Executive of NPPA, Ibrahim Brima Swarray said the 3rd Quarter 2021 Price Norm is critical in that it will not only be used in guiding price formula but will guide procuring entities in budget preparation for 2022 fiscal year.  He stressed that the use of the price Norm is mandatory and called on procuring entities to make good use of it.

The Chief Executive informed the audience about the publication of the first ever Public Procurement Annual Assessment for 2018 which was laid before Parliament, whilst intimating that the 2019 Annual Assessment will be out soon. He assured that the 2020 Annual Assessment will be out at the end of the year about the same time the Audit Report will be out. He informed the audience that the draft Code of Conduct and Ethics for all person involve in public procurement will be shared to all procurement practitioners for their inputs; after which it will be published and become binding on all concerned in public procurement.

He concluded by saying that the decision of procurement practitioners can go a long way to influence the development drive of the nation.

The occasion was chaired by the Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, Mr. Sylvester Allieu whilst the welcome address was done by the Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs Directorate, Barrister Francis Momoh Gbaya.

In attendance were procurement practitioners  from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, staff of the NPPA, the media and other relevant stakeholders.

For more information please contact the Legal and Corporate Affairs Directorate at the National Public Procurement Authority, OAU Drive, Tower Hill, Freetown on, +23288329/+23279902460 or www.nppa.gov.sl.