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Finance Minister deceived nation on Procurement Commission – Murray

Jul 23, 2010 News

What appeared to be a relatively simply amendment to the Procurement Laws yesterday evolved into a vibrant debate which saw members of the People’s Progressive Party having to defend Guyana’s Procurement Laws while the opposition accused them of deceit as it relates to the Public Procurement Commission.
Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh successfully piloted the Bill, but a great deal of the debate centered on the fact that there was a lack of trust in government procurement and the fact that there was no Public Procurement Commission.
In his presentation to the House, Dr Singh spoke of the modernization of Governance and the greater use of technology, adding that the Bill was simple, in that it is making the legal provisions for Government Procurement notices to be posted online at a special website which should be up and running in about two weeks’ time.
He said that they were merely seeking to use the internet as a vehicle to disseminate information and have the widest possible circulation of opportunities made known.
The Finance Minister said that persons may miss advertisements in newspapers or on radio but the information will be online all of the time so that prospective suppliers will have the information at hand always and at their convenience.
This, he said, would be the first step toward e-procurement, adding that it was not a new concept.
The Minister said that Guyana has one of the most comprehensive Procurement legislations and despite the non-establishment of the Public Procurement Commission there are a number of protective measures.
And, he said, to pre-empt any references that could be made to the breaches of procurement measures in the Auditor General’s Report, the government is resolute for the need for the strictest of compliance and ensuring that any breaches are dealt with.
Shadow Finance Minister Winston Murray said that despite the references being made to the effect that Guyana has very comprehensive procurement legislation, what is critical is the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission.
He said that it was rude and deceitful on the part of the Finance Minister to tell the nation that political consensus is required as it relates to the names of the members nominated for that commission.
Murray said the PNCR has submitted their names and the ruling administration submitted and withdrew their nominations, for several years now, with no replacements identified.
In the absence of the Procurement Commission there is the National Tender Board, which he said is appointed by the Minister, but PPP Parliamentarian Gail Teixeira insists is just the Chairman of the Board.
He said that in light of the reality there will always be the perception of bias.
Murray said that there is a hole in the system and the complaints are many.
Teixeira lambasted the opposition parties in parliament adding that Guyana has been complimented for its comprehensive procurement legislation.
She added also that even if the procurement commission is in place the tender board will continue to function and the commission will only assume oversight.
Teixeira spoke to the fact that they have developed standard bidding documents which help to ensure compliance.
Alliance For Change Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan told the House that while his party supports the plan to place the information online what needs to be added also is the rationalization behind who wins and why other bids were not considered.
He cited as an example the Amaila Falls road contract that was awarded to Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall pointing out that the reasons why that bid was better than the others should also be posted online.
Ramjattan said that for such a simple debate to escalate to such feisty banter suggests something, “foxish.”
The general consensus in the house last evening as it related to the merits of placing the information online was that it was a good thing, but the general difference of opinion among the members of the House with respect to government procurement was palpable.

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