00:00Speaking at an MSJ press conference on Sunday, David Abdullah says public procurement is an issue every citizen should be
00:07concerned about because of the amount of taxpayers' money involved.
00:10He points to the potential savings from a properly functioning procurement system.
00:14It is estimated that China and Tobago spends roughly half its annual budget on procurement activities.
00:20Let's say that comes up to $26 billion.
00:23If we can save about 20% of that, which works out to roughly $5.2 billion, then every five
00:31years we'll be able to fund the budget for procurement for free.
00:35Just think of the huge difference an additional $5.2 billion could make to major projects and interests such as
00:42hospitals, roads, schools, and so many other parts of the economy, including the services sector.
00:48Abdullah says the procurement framework was designed to establish common rules for government ministries, state enterprises, and statutory bodies.
00:56He says the Office of Procurement Regulation was also given powers to investigate complaints and intervene where there were concerns
01:03about awarding of a contract.
01:05He gave a simple example.
01:07If several companies bid and one company felt disadvantaged because they lost the bid, they could make a complaint, which
01:17would then be investigated.
01:18And individuals, public-spirited individuals, could also make a complaint and ask for an investigation.
01:25He is now questioning the changes being made to the legislation, arguing that the procurement system has already been weakened.
01:32Abdullah says the safeguards are important because they provide oversight of how public contracts are awarded.
01:39Mr. Scotland, who made a lot of noise in the House about the bill being gutted, he was not keen
01:46on having the Act fully proclaimed in 2022.
01:51It took another year for it to be fully proclaimed.
01:53And when it was, the PNM actually weakened aspects of it.
01:59The government has defended the amendment, saying changes to the procurement process are intended to improve efficiency and facilitate delivery
02:07of public projects.
02:09The legislation now moved to the Senate for consideration whether debate is expected to continue over the balance between efficiency
02:16and oversight in public procurement.
02:19Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
