By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam: The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, has called on various institutions and departments to strictly adhere to regulations and laws governing public procurement. Dr. Biteko emphasized that public funds used for procurement must follow legal frameworks to enhance efficiency in the implementation of various development projects.
Speaking on September 9, 2024, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) while representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the opening of the 16th East African Public Procurement Forum and the launch of the electronic public procurement system (NeST), Dr. Biteko highlighted the critical role of the procurement sector in ensuring citizens receive quality services. He urged institutions to uphold ethics and ensure adherence to the law, which is key to effective service delivery.
“If we do not have strong procurement institutions, the projects we undertake will not be implemented as intended. Poorly managed procurement opens the door to corruption,” Dr. Biteko warned.
He further urged professionals in the sector to protect their profession by holding each other accountable and condemning unethical practices. Dr. Biteko encouraged procurement professionals to take pride in their work and reprimand those who tarnish the integrity of the field. “I urge you all to stand firm and challenge any unethical behavior that sets us back. If one of your colleagues is engaging in misconduct, do not hesitate to distance yourselves from them because, in the end, it is your profession that will bear the blame,” he stressed.
Dr. Biteko also conveyed a directive from President Samia to the Minister of Finance, asking for the sector to be closely monitored. He reiterated the importance of ethics, professionalism, transparency, and accountability, noting that without these principles, citizens would not receive the services they deserve.
"A significant amount of public funds is earmarked for the provision of services, and if we do not have strong institutions overseeing procurement and supply chain processes, we will not see the intended impact of these funds. This will only exacerbate poverty," Dr. Biteko stated.
He pointed out that Tanzania's government has undertaken significant legal reforms in public procurement, beginning with the enactment of the first Public Procurement Act in 2001. After several challenges, these reforms led to the 2004 Act, which established the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). According to Dr. Biteko, PPRA was set up to regulate public procurement, ensuring value for money, transparency, accountability, efficiency, and integrity in the procurement process.
The government has made further improvements, including legal reforms, strengthening administrative structures, digitizing procurement systems, recruiting and training staff, enhancing access to tenders for Tanzanians, and strengthening the fight against misuse of public funds. He cited the example of local contractors gaining the capacity to undertake major projects within Tanzania and even abroad, thanks to these improvements.
Regarding the NeST system, Dr. Biteko expressed his satisfaction, noting that it was developed by young Tanzanian professionals and has garnered interest from several East African nations. The system has reduced procurement costs for government suppliers, eliminated the need for paper-based processes, expedited procurement procedures, reduced errors, and improved service delivery to citizens.
Deputy Finance Minister Hamad H. Chande praised the government for its continued efforts to improve various sectors, including public procurement, which has shown significant progress and impact. He acknowledged the importance of these reforms in ensuring efficiency and transparency in the procurement process.
Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr. Natu El Maamry Mwamba, stated that the forum aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss public procurement matters for the benefit of East African Community member states. The 2024 forum is being hosted in Tanzania, organized by the Ministry of Finance.
PPRA Board Chairperson, Dr. Leonada Mwagike, commended the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for making significant reforms in the public procurement sector, leading to increased accountability and ensuring the public gets value for money.
PPRA Director General Dennis Simba explained that these forums bring together representatives from East African Community member states to deliberate and make resolutions. The 16th forum will also allow participants to review the implementation of resolutions from the previous year.
Participants will exchange ideas on how technology can enhance efficiency in public procurement and help member states improve their procurement processes while addressing existing challenges.
The Director General of the e-Government Authority (eGA), Engineer Benedict Ndomba, noted that one of the agency’s responsibilities is to oversee the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the public sector. He emphasized the importance of managing public procurement effectively to achieve the desired outcomes. Ndomba also mentioned that eGA oversees several systems, including the National Electronic Single Window System (NeST), the Cargo Handling System, and the Government e-Payment Gateway (GePG).
The 16th East African Public Procurement Forum was held under the theme, “Leveraging Electronic Systems for Sustainable Public Procurement.”