Kenewendo calls for tight tender system controls
Commenting on the budget allocation on Thursday, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Bogolo Kenewendo said the tender awarding committee should be made ad hock and anonymous to reduce corruption in the tender awarding system.
“We need more deliberate efforts to fight corruption as it has hit this country so hard. We need to shift the tender committees and make them ad hock and anonymous, invite many professionals that are very experienced in structuring and closing deals in the private, public partnership projects because we have many talented and well trained Batswana,” said Kenewendo. Last year the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board introduced the Code of ethics for procurement personnel.The institution states that tender committees should be given full powers to adjudicate, award, issue instructions to tenderers and oversee project implementation.
The PPAD Act allows the Board to adjudicate and award tenders for Central Government and any other institutions specified under the PPADB Act for the delivery of works, services and supplies of related services. It also deals with the registration and grading of contractors who wishes to do business with government
She said the economic growth of the country is commendable at 4, 7 percent compared to other African countries but government should ensure that the budget speaks to this in implementation. “We need to ensure that our budget does not only speak in figures but there should be delivery and we will be able to create jobs, open doors and facilitate wealth creation in Botswana,” However, she pointed out that there is a concern as Batswana front on business reserved for them by government. “This is stealing, there should be a deliberate action and punishment to stop this. Fronting is a serious issue and we are currently looking at how we are addressing this issue as a ministry but it is also a legal issue,” she said.
She also pointed out that in the oil industry which government has identified to empower Batswana, it is alleged that Batswana are leaving it because they are offered what seems as a good deal in the short term. Presenting the 2019 Budgets Speech Minister of Finance and Economic Development Kenneth Matambo said government has already put in place measures to address some of the concerns about doing business in Botswana. He said government is keen on promoting its long standing principle of inclusive growth and equitable distribution of wealth in Botswana by giving citizens the opportunity to have ownership through privatisation of profit making public enterprises.
Recently, PPADB Supplies Executive Director, Kgakgamalo Ketshajwang told the media that the development of the code is in line with Section 90 of the PPAD Act, which mandates PPADB to ensure that a code of ethical behavior for procurement personnel is in place and enforced.
“Compliance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics is mandatory for all procurement practitioners who are engaged in the service of Procuring Entities covered under Sections 3 and 8 of the PPAD Act. This code will enhance integrity and ethical conduct of public officers handling procurement as global procurement and supply chain standard will be followed and appropriate action taken against those breaching the code,” said Ketshajwang.