-Dr Jagdeo says, highlights efforts made to eliminate corrupt practices in procurement process

THE Government of Guyana has made significant strides to root out corrupt practices in the procurement process, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

During a news conference held last Thursday, Dr Jagdeo highlighted the difference in how contracts for projects were being awarded under the previous A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government.

“We have had ministers who were giving contracts to themselves in their ministries, several contracts running into millions of dollars to their own companies…that was the situation then. If you look today, despite all the talk about procurement problems under the PPP, it’s transparently done,” the Vice-President said.

He noted too that some senior officials of the now opposition party had bypassed the procurement laws.

“People bid for projects. Now they may not be happy with the evaluation process, but they have a means that is in the Act to protest.”

According to him, the process is now being transparently done, with citizens having access to information issued by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

He noted too that the government has also flagged companies that are linked to public officials.

“We made it clear to them. While they hold those positions that they cannot bid in their own name. However, we can’t take away the right to work from their family too once it has nothing to do with their ministry. We made that clear.

“We recently embarked on a countrywide discussion on this matter. The Minister of Finance and I, we were in Essequibo, Berbice, and in Region Five, in different areas talking to contractors and the regional authorities and laying the rules out that there must be full compliance with the Procurement Act,” he said, before pointing out that training was also conducted in these areas.

Back in May, Dr Jagdeo had revealed plans to conduct ‘sting’ operations to clamp down on officers and other personnel who engage in procurement breaches.

Dr Jagdeo had told local journalists that the government has undertaken a review of the procurement system at every level.

The government, he related, is examining the procurement procedures for compliance, and activities for compliance with the laws.

If persons are found to be in breach of the law, Dr Jagdeo affirmed, they will be held accountable.

The government, he also related, will be scrutinising delays in processing contract payments, and dishonest supervision of projects.