By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) in collaboration with the Public Financial Management and Integrated Consolidation Project (PFMICP) in the Ministry of Finance supported by the World Bank on Wednesday 30th October, 2019 held a one day stakeholders’ consultative workshop on the draft Public Procurement Curriculum at CATCO International Complex, Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
This move by NPPA is geared towards the development of a detailed curriculum for training institutions in public procurement as the Authority is on rapid transformation under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ibrahim Brima Swaray.
Speaking at the one day stakeholders’ consultative workshop, representative of NPPA CEO, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of the institution, Sylvester Hinga Demby, disclosed that the design of the curriculum has its mandate from the Public Procurement Act 2016 which requires NPPA to “ensure capacity building and human resource development for public procurement, including development, promoting and supporting training and professional development of persons engaged in public procurement”.
In a desire to adhere to this demand, he said NPPA aims to upgrade the capacity of not only its staff members but also that of public procurement practitioners engaged in the procurement system in Sierra Leone and maintain an efficient and effective team of procurement officers that will serve as the driving force for achieving the aims and objectives of the institution.
He said that the objective of the exercise consists of: to raise the level of professionalism in public procurement; greater respect for public procurement institutions; improved social sector service, among others.
According to him, the expected outcome of the exercise is production of a comprehensive curriculum document that will meet international standard in line with the legal framework with the institution able to use the document, among others.
CSOs representative, William Sao Lamin, acknowledged the effort of both past and present NPPA leadership in transforming the institution to international standard.
He recounted series of issues in the national budget that has to do with public procurement.
He urged the institution to continue collaboration with CSOs and the media if they are to succeed.
NPPA Board Chairman, Alfred H. Kandeh said public procurement is very important as expenditure control by government would help to minimize wastage of state.
