By William Garang
South Sudan has taken a significant step to curb graft in asset procurement, as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Marial Dongrin, signed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Regulations into law. The new regulation aims to tackle corruption by eliminating single-sourcing in contract awards and enforcing the use of standardized bidding documents and requests for proposals across all procuring entities.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Dongrin emphasized that this regulation is a crucial part of the government’s efforts to improve public finance management. He noted that it is one of the 11 key areas the government has been focusing on as part of its broader reform agenda.
“The signing of the regulation today concludes the legal framework for operationalization of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Asset in the Republic of South Sudan,” he stated.
“We expect the team at the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDAA), the finance ministry, and the entire government to create public awareness about the processes so that we have to be guided by these regulations.” He added.
He advised the public procurement authority to promote transparency, block graft and increase government revenue collection.
Dr. Marial Dongrin signed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Regulations into law. (Photo Credit: William Garang, King News)
“The people of South Sudan expect the country’s resources to be spent transparently, no wastage is allowed,
“As the board chair was requesting for support – the first thing we expect from you is to save some pounds for us, you need to save money for us such that we will be able to support you,”
Mr. Dongrin assured the Public Procurement Authority of his full support to enable them carryout their mandate. He called on all the government agencies and institutions to cooperate with PPDAA.
The former chair of the Specialized Committee of Finance at National Assembly, Changkuoth Bichiok, said: “So, the next work now is your work – it is you now to do the remaining work because this issue of single-sourcing and the rest must stop, we need to move to the real work of the government,”
Meanwhile, Chairperson Board of Directors of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, Ayii Bol Akol, cited that signing regulation signifies the start of the procurement reform agenda under Public Finance Management reforms.
“We hope PPDAA activities will be prioritized even amid limited resources,” Akol said.
“We know the importance of public procurement and disposal of assets, and we are after the value for money, so this is the starting point for the value of money,” he added.
Besides, Juvenal Nzambimana, Acting Country Manager of the World Bank South Sudan Office, said signing the regulation into law is a significant milestone.
Dr. Marial Dongrin signed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Regulations into law. (Photo Credit: William Garang, King News)
“The implementation of this regulation is crucial for the improvement of public finance management, governance management, transparency, and accountability,” he said.
“By putting in place a functional public procurement system, South Sudan can now look forward to enhancing efficiency and integrity in its procurement process.”
He echoed the dissemination of the PPDA Act and the regulation so that the users can be aware of this regulation.