The Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA) has strengthened the capacity of suppliers and procuring institutions in Ruvuma, Iringa, and Njombe regions on handling complaints and appeals through the National e-Procurement System (NeST).
The initiative aims to improve efficiency and transparency in public procurement processes.
The training sessions, held in Songea and Iringa, brought together 380 participants, including suppliers, procurement officers, legal experts, ICT personnel, as well as special groups such as women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and local technicians.
PPAA Executive Secretary, Mr. James Sando, said the training is delivered in collaboration with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to equip stakeholders with the skills needed to manage complaints and disputes effectively.
“This training is designed to enhance your performance, increase efficiency, and improve understanding of the Complaints and Appeals Module within NeST,” Mr. Sando said.
He added that the training aligns with the Government’s inclusivity agenda by involving youth, women, and special groups, empowering them to actively participate in public procurement and ensure that strategic projects deliver real value for money.
Mr. Sando encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained, highlighting that the module offers a simple, fast, and transparent mechanism for managing complaints arising from public procurement processes.
“The module has enhanced appeal management, reduced case handling time, and strengthened ICT use in delivering justice, saving time and cutting costs related to procurement dispute resolution,” he said.
PPAA’s Manager for Appeals and Legal Affairs, Ms. Florida Mapunda, said the training focused on educating stakeholders on the procedures for submitting and managing complaints and appeals within NeST.
“PPAA, together with PPRA, developed this module to assist public procurement stakeholders—including suppliers and institutions—to lodge complaints and appeals more efficiently online,” Ms. Mapunda explained.
Since the module’s introduction, approximately 596 cases have been processed through NeST, demonstrating its effectiveness and the ongoing need to train stakeholders on proper use.
Training topics included complaint submission and management, appeal handling, award issuance, contract preparation, review, signing procedures, and requests for deadline extensions within NeST.
The training was conducted in two phases: March 2–3 in Songea, Ruvuma, and March 5–6 in Iringa, covering Iringa and Njombe regions.
These sessions are part of a nationwide capacity-building program previously conducted in the Coastal, Lake, Northern, Southern Highlands, and Central zones, including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza, Kilwa, Lindi, and Mtwara regions.
