THE Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has addressed a recent Kaieteur News article dated November 20, 2025, which suggested that the Commission had “slammed tender boards for hiding procurement minutes.”
In a statement recently released, the PPC said the characterisation misrepresents the intent and findings of its 2024–2025 Interim Report.
The Commission emphasised that there is no statutory requirement under the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05, obliging procuring entities to publish tender-opening minutes. While entities must provide minutes when formally requested, the PPC noted that its role is primarily monitoring compliance and promoting transparency, not assigning blame.
“The Commission did not allege, implicitly or explicitly, that tender boards are ‘hiding’ minutes,” the statement said. “The absence of submissions was described as a procedural deficiency, not misconduct.”
The 2024–2025 Interim Report showed that several Regional, Ministerial, Departmental, and Agency Tender Boards did not routinely submit tender-opening minutes. Some entities responded to formal requests; others did not. The PPC stressed that it did not attribute any motive or concealment to these omissions.
Data from the interim reporting period (July 7, 2024, to March 31, 2025) indicated partial adherence to submission requests. Seven out of ten Regional Democratic Councils submitted minutes (70% compliance), and fourteen out of twenty Ministries complied—a notable improvement from previous years. Several ministries requested formal extensions, demonstrating willingness to cooperate.
The PPC also clarified that the figures reflect a nine-month interim reporting period, not a full operational year, explaining why submission totals were lower than in previous full cycles. Post-reporting follow-ups have shown improved co-operation, with additional entities submitting their minutes after March 2025.
“The publication of minutes remains important for contemporaneous record-keeping, verification of contract awards, audit trails, and transparency,” the PPC stated. The Commission stressed that its reports are diagnostic and educational tools, aimed at fostering a procurement environment grounded in transparency, compliance, and accountability, in line with its constitutional mandate under Article 212AA(1)(b).
The PPC reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with procuring entities and to strengthening systems for fair, transparent procurement across Guyana.