By: Saidu Jalloh

In order to make procurement easy and transparent in Sierra Leone, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Procurement Authority [NPPA], Fodie J. Konneh, revealed in a stakeholder consultative meeting on Electronic Governance Procurement that they had transformed the Procurement system in Sierra Leone from manual to Electronic.

In his opening remarks, Konneh expressed that the main aim of the meeting was to publicize the major reforms he and his team had brought to the landscape of procurement in Sierra Leone, especially the full automation of the manual electronic system. ‘’ marketing is very important in business. The purpose of manufacturing in any business is for marketing, so we want to market this electronic procurement system in Sierra Leone,’’ Konneh said.

In that light, he highlighted the importance of procurement reforms and also acknowledged the contribution of all those who had played a vital role in getting procurement to where it is today. He stated that when he was appointed as the CEO of NPPA, he reflected on his mantra or legacy or what he should focus on. After reflecting, he and his team focused on consolidating all reforms to enhance effective service to all citizens.

He noted that in the past year as the CEO of NPPA, he had undertaken significant reforms. The reason for that is that his leadership qualities are based on reforms, and some of his reforms have set NPPA apart from other institutions. He is ready to stabilize the procurement system in Sierra Leone.

He underscored that through the approval of the Ministry of Finance, they had been able to register all suppliers and that over the years, the law gave NPPA the mandate to debase suppliers who engage in shenanigan activities.  He continued that they also had the point of having a national supplier database to represent everyone who is doing business with the government and that gone were the days when supplier would abandon their project and run away with government money, but under his leadership, they had put stringent measure that would be dealt with any supplier that defaults his contract.

Regarding the readiness of the Electronic Procurement System, he revealed that they had trained many people to handle it so that when it comes to implementation, it will be easier.

‘’The training was done by an expert from the United States of America; many MDAs have benefited from that training as they have prepared for the rollout of  E-GP,’’ Konneh explained.

He explained how they had developed three documents: the policy framework, the business processing reengineering, and the implementation strategy.

The Deputy CEO of NPPA, Augustine Tommy, advanced that since 60 -70% of government business is directed to procurement, it is important for them to roll out the electronic procurement system. He noted that the E-GP has provided the platform for making that process easier for efficiency and prudent financial management.

The E-GP coordinator and Board Chairman of NPPA, Alfred H. Kandeh, commented that they had been using the manual system for twenty-two years and that he is happy that they are switching to an electronic system. He stated he was part of the manual system and now also part of the electronic system, for which he is grateful. He narrated that the Ministry of Finance and the banking system had all gone digital, and, unsurprisingly, the world has gone digital.

Konneh climaxed by stating that they had built the capacity of all MDA procurement officers and the NPPA staff over the period and promising that under his leadership, the NPPA was on the right trajectory.

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