This assurance came from GPPA Director General Phoday M. Jaiteh during a four-day retreat at Sindola Safari Lodge in Kanilai, convened to review and validate newly developed Standard Forms under the Public Procurement Act 2022.
The retreat aimed to align procurement practices with government policy, strengthen compliance with regulatory frameworks, and promote good governance, improved service delivery, and better returns on public spending.
DG Jaiteh stressed that procurement today goes beyond simply buying goods and services. It involves identifying opportunities to maximize public sector value through strategic sourcing and effective resource management.
He cited the World Bank’s observation that the economic growth of any country is closely tied to the efficiency of its public procurement system and the quality of its public expenditure.
Highlighting the rapid pace of change in the 21st century, the GPPA director general underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement to achieve mutual success.
“Our current procurement Forms and Templates are more than 24 years old,” he said. “That is a long time in a fast-evolving procurement world.”
Presenting the GPPA’s revised Forms and Templates, he noted that these tools are designed to streamline purchasing process, ensure compliance with the law, and enhance transparency.
He explained: “The structured Forms and Templates ensure compliance with the legal framework. These documents will improve efficiency and transparency in our national procurement system.”
The retreat also focused on consolidating certain forms, tailoring templates for specific procurement methods, and aligning all documentation with the Public Procurement Act 2022. Updates include a clear requirement for declarations of potential conflicts of interest from Contracts and Evaluation Committees, ensuring integrity in the procurement process.
Mr Jaiteh emphasised that well-structured forms and templates are the foundation of an efficient, transparent procurement system.
Over the past two years, the GPPA has introduced new regulations, a procurement manual, and updated bidding documents, alongside launching an e-procurement portal that simplifies business registration and cuts transaction times.
He concluded by commending the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Government of The Gambia for their continued support in driving GPPA’s digital transformation agenda.
