Procurement sector tipped on transparency

All actors in public procurement have been urged on accountability and transparency in the exercise of their duties so as to stamp out corruption in the sector.The call was made by Aloysia Cyanzayire, the Chief Ombudsman, during a one-day dialogue session with local government officials yesterday.“It is our obligation to detect and report cases of bribery in order to ensure zero tolerance to corruption in the sector,” she said.She said corruption does not only subject innocent citizens to abject poverty, but also compromises national values and progress.“Selecting a bidder based on their ability to bribe rather than their potential to execute a contract is disastrous to national development,” she observed.Célestin Sibomana, a Skills Enhancement Officer at the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA), said there is need to build an effective whistle blowing mechanism to report cases of corruption.“We have to establish a quick response system to deal with corruption-related complaints,” he said.Laurent Bayingana, the Gatsibo District Procurement Officer, said the meeting aimed at identifying challenges and finding measures to combat corruption in the sector.“We need to share possible causes and signs of graft in the sector, so we can come up with proper solutions,” Bayingana said.The event that attracted over 80 participants was co-organised in collaboration with the Embassy of The Netherlands.

National

Procurement sector tipped on transparency