South Sudan devises new policy to improve procurement

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 19, 2010 (JUBA) – The regional government of southern Sudan on Tuesday said it is devising strong rules and regulations that would govern the purchase of goods and services.

Speaking to the press, the south’s minister of finance David Deng Athor, said the government is seriously engaged in devising policies to improve the procurement of goods and services for government and private institutions.

The minister said these policies would first be reviewed before circulated for implementation by relevant institutions. “The importance of these policies aims at cutting down public expenditure and providing a market to local entrepreneurs,” said Athor

“The proposed changes will also address primary objectives of controlling expenditure, getting value for money and involvement of local entrepreneurs in the procurement market,” added Athor.

Athor is a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the south’s ruling party, said procurement policy delivers benefits for government, suppliers and the community. He said the policy would provide for better criteria for measuring discipline in public procurement, a crucial factor in good governance.

Since it was handed control of the south in a 2005 peace agreement which ended over two decades of civil war, the SPLM government has been accused of corruption and other administrative malpractices.

The minister said that there the new regulations were needed to address market challenges.

Reacting to the policy, Deng Acuil Malith, an executive director for Southern Sudan Trade and Business Development Group, expressed optimism over the government’s efforts, but said that special dispensation needed to be given to local entrepreneurs.

“Local entrepreneurs should be given priority in some tenders as a way of empowering them to compete in international tenders,” said Malith.

He said for years, very few southern entrepreneurs have been able to participate in various tenders. Others he said had been completely ignored in the tendering processes.

“There have been times in the past where many entrepreneurs have not been able to participate in various tenders from government institutions. The system seemed to have neglected business groups in developmental activities. Private sector forms great part in extending developmental programs to the rural areas,” explained Malith.

In January the south is will decide whether it wants to become a new country or remain united with the north in a referendum in January.

(ST)