By Ayodele Deen Cole
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Public Procurement Authority, (NPPA), Ibrahim Brima Swarray has issued a strong warning to all business and administrative criminals who want to use the COVID-19 outbreak in the country to amass lots of illegal wealth through bad procurement practices nationwide.
Ibrahim Brima Swarray gave the warning recently through this press while responding to a press release issued by the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). According to the NPPA, CEO, the release by the two institutions is a sign that both the ACC and the ASSL are carrying out their mandates by, among other things , monitor the financial activities of government and that the NPPA is collaborating with them to make sure that all those involved in the procurement of COVID 19 items ensure that they use or follow the NPPA processes irrespective of the public emergency in the country. He stated that since the start of the COVID-9 response in the country, the NPPA has held successful dialogues with a cross-section of key stakeholders including the interim head of National COVID-19 Response Committee, Rtd. Brig. Hassan Kellie Conteh, to discussed the way forward regarding the day to day operations of the Committee, especially issues that have to do with procurement processes and procedures during the outbreak.
He further noted that in that meeting it was agreed that all purchases around the COVID-19 outbreak must be done on a case by case basis and the rules must be followed, adding that he is expecting all those involved in the procurement process to follow the law and make sure due processes are followed. Currently, the NPPA has not designated any official to monitor the NCRC. According to Mr Swarray, one of the Authority’s key mandate is to monitor procurement activities, adding that they have not delegated any officer for that purpose as, according to him, they will continue with their normal duties. He added that all the laws have been explained to the practitioners who will be charged to work with the NCRC as the NPPA is ready to provide their services to the state even during weekends and Sunday. He continued that since the nation is in an emergency period, the practitioners must use the emergency provisions in the laws to carry out their duties. He noted that the law clearly spelt out what is expected of the authority, adding that they are expect everyone to go by the dictates of the law. Practitioners, he furthered, must be mindful that not everybody in the field are going to fight the COVID-19 as there are administrative workers who are serving as Advisers and Procurement practitioners.
The NPPA Chief concluded by warning all MDAs to do their normal jobs and follow the laws as the State of Emergency does not cover them. He revealed that in situations of emergency most MDAs use the sole sourcing method to purchase items, adding that even in sole sourcing method there are laid down laws to follow. He also urged the MDAs responsible for the COVID-19 team to make use of the NPPA price norm for items they want to buy. He concluded by saying that they have not received any complaint or concern from anybody regarding the COVID-19 procurement processes.
NPPA CEO Warns State Criminals
