The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), in partnership with various stakeholders within the government sectors holds a daylong validation seminar on the drafts of grants Act for The Gambia on 14th February, 2019 at Sunset Beach hotel.
The forum was organised by GPPA with support from the European Union as the European Union is currently providing technical assistance to the Gambian public procurement authority in order to enhance its institutional capacity.
Abdoulie Tambedou, managing director GPPA said with close to 70% of government budget being expended through public procurement, reforms aimed at improving the public procurement system will ensure the optimal utilization of the country meager resources.
According to him, with grant inflows representing close to half of most developing countries annual inflows, the Gambia reforms aimed at ensuring implementation of the grants are handled through the country system and will help in improving capacity in management of projects.
He added that a greater proportion of the grant monies staying in the Gambia as part of their implementation and finally balance of payment improvements.
Tambedou disclosed that government of the Gambia through the GPPA looks forward to receiving an endorsement to implement projects funded by the EU and other development partners following successful pillar assessments in the areas of Internal Control, Accounting, Independent External AUDIT grants Procurement and sub delegation.
He added that this support together with that of other development partners , over the years provided to the institution started with the procurement diagnostic in 1998 leading to the creation of the GPPA from the major and Minor Tender Boards under the ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
He also said GPPA staffs are very delighted to part of the validation of a grants Bill which will be a first of its kind in the history of the Gambia.
Ada Gaye, permanent secretary, ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs said the Bill is to improve rules for the regulation of grants awarded to the government of the Gambia, ministries, local government’s institutions, districts authorities, and government agencies.
“The important of the Bill is that cognizant of the huge resources disbursed through grants, unfortunately as you may be aware, the current Gambian public procurement framework does not handle grant regulation,” she noted
Mr. Ignacio Nuho Villar, EU representative said the EU is partnering closely with the new government to help stabilize and reform The Gambia based on democratic and human rights values.
He said in 2017 the EU has decided to give budget support to The Gambia, to help government implement the democratic and economic reforms defined in the national development plan, using its own country system.