THE Public Procurement Commission (PPC) last Monday conducted a training session in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Staff members from the RDC, especially the heads of the various departments and those involved in the procurement process across the region, seized the opportunity to empower themselves with various topics covered by the PPC.

The engagement was facilitated by the commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Singh and his staff.

Addressing participants during the training exercise, the CEO said that in an effort to promote transparency and efficiency in the public procurement process, the commission commenced a series of training exercises across the country.

Singh said that the PPC’s main aim is to educate the public about their role and responsibilities under the PPC Act, provide important details on how the procurement process works, including the procurement plans and requirements and the rules and regulations of the procurement process.

Topics covered during this training included an introduction to the PPC– who they are and what they do; what the public procurement process entails; how to lodge a complaint; what the debarment process includes; how to complete a procurement plan and tender openings and evaluation.

“We are here today to let you know more about who we are and what are our roles legally. You will hear of the different aspects of debarring; you will hear more of the procurement system and the threshold. We will do a session on how to prepare procurement plans [and] we will talk about tendering opening. These are sometimes some sore areas,” Singh said.

The evaluation process was explained in detail to participants.

He added that the PPC has an evaluation criterion which all evaluators should follow.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Susanah Saywack said that the training came at an opportune time and he urged participants to make full use of it.

Saywack said that several projects were awarded in the region and the process was followed. As such, she said she is happy that the programme heads and officers in the region are involved in the training.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures, and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors, and public bodies.”

Pursuant to Section 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurement.

This most recent training adds to those the PPC has conducted countrywide over the years.

The PPC encourages entities desirous of benefiting from training to contact them via their telephone numbers: (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or their email, operations@ppc.org.gy for further information.