The institutions authorised to conduct procurement without obtaining approval are Gambia Ports Authority, NAWEC, GNPC, Ministry of Health, Gamtel, Gamcel, The National Assembly, NDMA, and Office of the Vice President.
At the ceremony, Samba Tambura, Director of Compliance at GPPA, reminded that the move comes after these institutions had already fulfilled the criteria required in determining who is fit.
“These criteria are establishments of a contract committee and procurement unit, qualification and experience of capacity competence, professional qualifications of procurement, observation of the principles of procurement, and understanding processes and procedures.” he explained.
He further dilated that the reason behind the authorisation is to establish the existence of the required capacity and competency at the institutional level and to conduct procurement in accordance with the Act and regulations.
Representing the GPPA Board chairman, Bai Ibrahim Jobe, advised the authorised institutions not to abuse the privilege accorded them, further calling on them to always ensure that they work towards providing better procurement services.
“Procurement should not be played with because it involves how to value and manage tax-payers’ money.” he stressed.
For his part, Ibrahim Sanyang, Director of Procurement Policy and Operations, reminded that the 2022 Act seeks to address the current seeming conflict within their responsibilities, which he said, may be removed progressively by effectively decentralising operational procurement responsibilities to the procuring institutions in their capacity to carry out their duties.
“Accordingly, the procurement organisations shall apply and the authority shall launch a capacity assessment on all procurement within six months of the deadline to be set in the regulations,” he explained.
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of other institutions, Ousman Jobarteh, Managing Director Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), described the move as a step in the right direction, further promising to make the best use of the opportunity and to ensure that the basic objective is achieved.
“We will be more responsive to the market that we operate in, as some of the decisions are time sensitive. To allow a process that will engender more speed and efficiency in the procurement process is definitely a welcomed development.” he added.
