By Alieu Amara Suwu
In order to make procurement easy and transparent in Sierra Leone, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Procurement Authority [NPPA], Fodie J. Konneh, revealed in a stakeholder consultative meeting on electronic governance procurement that they had transformed the procurement system in Sierra Leone from a manual procurement system to that of the electronic procurement system.
In his opening remarks, Konneh expressed that their main aim of the meeting was to publicize the major reforms he and his team had brought to the landscape of procurement in Sierra Leone, especially the full automation of the manual electronic system. ‘’ Marketing is very important in business, and the purpose of manufacturing in any business is for marketing, so we want to market this electronic procurement system in Sierra Leone,’’ Konneh said.
In that light, he highlighted the importance of procurement reforms and also acknowledged the contribution of all those who had played a vital role in seeing procurement to be where it is today. He stated that when he was appointed as the CEO of NPPA and reflected on what should be his mantra or legacy or what should he focus on, he and his team were focusing on how to consolidate all reforms that had been to enhance effective service to all citizens.
He noted that in the past year as the CEO of NPPA he had undertaken significant reforms. The reason for that is because his leadership qualities are based on reforms, and some of his reforms had set NPPA apart from other institutions, and he is ready to stabilize the procurement system in Sierra Leone.
He underscored that through the approval of the Ministry of Finance they had been to accomplish the registration of all suppliers, and that over the years the law gave the NPPA the mandate to debase suppliers who engage in shenanigans activities. He continued that they were also on the point of having a national supplier database to represent everyone that is doing business with the government, and that gone were the days when suppliers would abandon their project and run away with government money, but under his leadership, they had put in stringent measures that would deal with any supplier that defaulted on his contract.
In the readiness of the Electronic Procurement System, he revealed that they had trained a lot of people to handle it so that when it comes into implementation, it would be easier.
‘’The training was done by an expert from the United States of America; a lot of MDAs have benefited from that training as they have prepared for the rollout of E-GP.’’ Konneh explained.
He explained how they had developed three documents: the policy framework, the business processing reengineering, and the implementation strategy.
The Deputy CEO of NPPA, Augustine Tommy, advanced that since 60–70% of government business was directed to procurement, it is important for them to roll out the electronic procurement system. He noted that for efficiency and prudent financial management, the E-GP had provided the platform for that process to be achieved easier.
The E-GP Coordinator and Board Chairman of NPPA, Alfred H. Kandeh, commented that for twenty-two years they had been using the manual system and that he is happy that they are switching to an electronic system. He stated he was part of the manual system and now also part of the electronic system, which he is grateful for. He narrated that the Ministry of Finance and the Banking System had all gone digital, and it is not surprising because the world has gone digital.
Konneh climaxed that they had built the capacity of all MDA procurement officers and also staff of the NPPA over the period and promised all that under his leadership, the NPPA is on the right trajectory.
