Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini Government Tender Board facilitated the procurement of E6.99 billion worth of goods, services and consultancy work for various government ministries and departments during the reporting period, according to the ministry of finance’s annual performance report.
This highlights the board’s role in ensuring efficient and accountable public spending.
A breakdown of procurement figures reveals that the total value of procurement facilitated totalled E6.99 billion during the period under review, E46.7 million of which went to goods and services,
The ministry of public works allocation of E6. 39 billion was flagged as the highest while pharmaceuticals and medical was allocated E26.05 million and education sector was allocated E139.5 million.
“A bigger chunk went to the ministry of public works as they had a mandate to rehabilitate the infrastructure, most of which were the rehabilitation of roads and low level crossing as most bridges were washed away by the recent heavy and stormy rains,” reads the report.
Notably, a US$ 1 billion project co-funded by AFD Bank and the government is included in this allocation.
“The tender for US$ 1 004 756.97 was done for roads funded partially by the African Development Bank and government.
The controls on award of tenders will continue to avoid and ensure that expenditure is contained,” it reads. Pharmaceuticals and medicals awarded US$ 4.3 million to foreign companies while goods and services contracts awarded to foreign companies was US$ 1.7 million.
Procurement
The board reportedly adjudicated on 663 procurement applications submitted by various government entities.
The report also notes that a total of 47 board meetings were held between April 3, 2023, and December 29, 2023.
These meetings reportedly comprised 37 ordinary sessions and 10 special meetings, including virtual sessions.
The board’s key responsibilities and achievements as outlined in the report include ensuring compliance.
The tender board plays a critical role in upholding public procurement regulations.
They achieve this by verifying adherence to the Procurement Act 2011 and Procurement Regulations 2022 by government entities, granting prior approval for specific stages within the procurement process as well as adjudicating on procurement applications exceeding set thresholds submitted by ministries, departments, and parastatals.
It is reported that in promoting transparency and efficiency, the Board actively encourages open tendering which is a method that prioritises fair competition and value for money.
It encourages priority procurement as this streamlines processes for pre-budgeted purchases.
As well as limited emergency and unplanned procurement to help control unnecessary spending.
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