The
Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) through its European Union support
project over the weekend completed a two-day training course on public
procurement, for 15 participants from the Accountant General’s Department, at a
ceremony held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau Cape Point.
The
two-day training session aimed to boost accountants’ knowledge and
understanding of the public procurement system.
At the end of the two-day training activity,
participants were awarded certificates.
Speaking
to this reporter, Kebba Sallah, director responsible for training at the GPPA,
said the course was organised to boost accountants’ knowledge and understanding
of the public procurement system.
It
was organised by the GPPA through it European Union-funded project, geared
mainly to giving relevant training to stakeholders on public procurement.
The
next step of the training course would target stakeholders from other
institutions like finance, accountants, health and agriculture, to give them
the necessary training.
From April to July 2017, they are going to
have training sessions in different part of the country, Sallah went on, and described
the course as important, and that the participants expressed satisfaction.
He,
therefore, urged them to implement what they have learned, and share it with
colleagues in their offices.
He
thanked the European Union for funding the project, noting that this was the
second phase, and urged them to continue supporting GPPA.
Momodou
Lamin Bah from the Accountant General’s Department, said the training course
was something they have requested for from the GPPA under its EU-funded
project.
He described public procurement as an area
that is very important, noting that almost 70 per cent of government
expenditure goes through procurement.
He
assured all that the knowledge they gained during the two-day training course
would be extended to their colleagues, so that they also have the knowledge to
review and confirm before authorising any payment out of Government funds.
Mr
Bah described the training course as “very interactive, effective and
educative”, as they from the Accountant General’s office got the opportunity to
ask questions, and clarified certain misconceptions relating to procurement.
He
thanked the GPPA for organising the course, noting that it was timely and urged
them to continue organising more of such training activities for them.
