By: Mohamed Sahr
Ibrahim Brima Swarray, the Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority has lectured the Fourah Bay College students during the Inter Departmental Debate, Public Speaking and Essay Writing Competition on Thursday 21 April 2022 at Mount Aureole.
When giving his keynote statement, Ibrahim Brima Swarray said the relevant of procurement and good governance play meaningful roles in every nation and equally help in mitigating the excesses of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. He said procurement provides information for the swift running of a country; stating that it is far beyond the purchasing of goods, works and services.
He disclosed that the National Public Procurement Authority came into being by an Act of Parliament in 2004 thereby ensuring division of labour, transparency and fairness. Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray said the 2004 Act builds the foundation for the National Public Procurement Policy of 2016 that which explains how public funds are used, as well as implementing safety mechanism for the utilisation of people’s money.
He said for the use of goods and services by Ministries, Departments and Agencies; they have to follow the rules and regulations set in Parliament especially when it comes to procurement processes and procedures. “2020 regulations was done and launched for the interpretation of the 2004 Act,” he said.
Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray averred that His Excellency President Bio hired him to sanitise the procurement system in Sierra Leone; adding that he would continue to rebrand the National Public Procurement Authority into the rank of International best standard.
He said together with his formidable team, they have moved from 37 workers to more than 100. “For us to have a proper regulatory system, the number has to increase,” he reassured. Chief Ibriham Brima Swarray said human capacity enhancement has the potential to effectively streamline the right people for the right purpose.
He said the National Public Procurement Authority serves as the preventive arm of corruption. As such, they would make sure to revoke the Act that gives the mandate to do end-to-end review. Admitting that through the mandate, the NPPA has saved Sierra Leone 1.2 billion Leones.
NPPA Boss assured that in order to protect Sierra Leone with regards to procurement system; they have implemented the electronic procurement system, which has been reliable, accessible to data and effective. He said this electronic system would attract foreign investors to open businesses in Sierra Leone as well adhere to efficient cooperate social responsibility to Sierra Leoneans and the country as a whole.
He urged all present to understand procurement processes and procedures even at university level. Disclosing that with procurement system; public trust can be enhanced as he serves as the horse for this course.
