Lack of funds affecting road projects - Mr Darko

Many road projects were outlined  in the 2013 budget statements, but can these projects be completed. Charles Benoni Okine reports.
Heavily slashed budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Roads and Highways are likely to impact negatively on the various roads projects in the country.
For instance, in the area of goods and services, only GH¢805,566 which represents about 10 per cent of the ministry’s requirement for the effective administration of the sector has been approved by the government.
Again, with the budgetary request for assets, only 14 per cent, presenting GH¢165,617,270 has been made available to fund; the completion of ongoing projects, commencement of new/critical projects, settlement of road arrears, payments for matching funds and compensation for project affected persons.
These were some of the revelations made when the ministry took its turn to brief financial journalists at a special two-day advocacy programme under the auspices of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) with support from Star Ghana.
In spite of the financial challenges among many others, the ministry is optimistic of completing many projects as per their scheduled dates of completion although the Chief Director of the ministry, Mr Darko, apart from donor funds, could not tell where the funding would come from to expedite action of the projects.
The government has made it clear that it was not going to approve any new projects as part of efforts to reduce the huge budget deficits which has impacted negatively on the fundamentals of the economy.
The move is also intended to ensure strict adherence to the spending limits prescribed in the 2013 budget while ensuring that old projects started were completed on time before new ones are roped in.
graphic.com.gh
Donor funded projects.
The Chief Director said the majority of the donor-assisted road projects for all the road agencies will be completed in 2013 and 2014.
“Donor-assisted road projects which commenced in 2012 such as the Fufulso-Sawla, Agona Junction- Elubo, Ayamfuri –Asawinso will be delivered in 2015”, he said.
Mr Darko was also optimistic that the Tarkwa-Bogosu section of the Tarkwa-Ayamfuri road will be completed in 2015 although payment of compensation to project affected persons and for utility relocation remain the key challenges.
On the long awaited Urban Transport Project meant to ease the traffic congestion on the roads and improve the country’s transportation system, the project will deliver a Bus Priority route between Amasaman-Accra by end of 2014 along with the corresponding bus services which will be delivered in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
He also noted that “The Bridge Development program, which requires GOG counterpart funds, will deliver a minimum of 20 steel bridges and major culverts by end 2014” adding that “The remaining 40 steel bridges will be delivered in 2015.”

GOG funding
Mr Darko was emphatic that; “A number of the wholly Government of Ghana funded road projects can be completed by 2014, if the payment situation to contractor improved.”
“Most projects are more than 50 per cent completed and expedited payments to the contractors will ensure completion by 2014”, he added.
With the heavy funding pressures on the government in recent times, it is not clear whether the recent US$1 billion Eurobond raised, of which a portion is expected to be used to complete road projects and pay contractors, would be delivered on time to enable the project deadlines to be met accordingly.
A former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the Rawlings administration, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, had indicated that the impact of not completing projects on time was a heavy cost to the government and noted that in spite of the various pressures, there was the need to ensure that cost effective spending to achieve results.
The state of our roads is highly dependent on the maintenance strategy and revenue available to the road agencies. To sustain and protect the road assets of more than US$6billion, additional revenue is required for the road portfolio which has grown from about 37,000km in 2000 to 68,114km in 2013.

Road Fund allocation
The desired maintenance programme submitted by the road agencies for funding from the Ghana Road Fund in 2013 was GH¢611.06million.
However, only a paltry GH¢191.10million has been approved for the road agencies to undertake the maintenance of the road network.
Many road users have expressed their reservations about the use of the road fund, particularly with regards to the use of the road tolls.
According to them, many of the tolled roads were in a deplorable state and wondered what their tolls were being used for.
But Mr Darko admitted the challenge and explained that the collections from the tolls were placed in the fund and used for various projects as prescribed adding “we are aware of the challenges and would work hard to ensure that tolled roads were in a better shape”

Soak pressures to avoid budget deficits – Dr Kwesi Botchwey

Governments have rolled over deficits from one fiscal year to another. Charles Benoni Okine reports on the negative impact on the macroeconomy.

A FORMER Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, has called on the government to develop the courage to resist the temptation of spending on projects and programmes that have not been properly budgeted for in any particular fiscal year.
The move, he said, was one of the key ingridiends to avoiding the huge deficits that often derail the macroeconomic fundamentals of the country.
It would also save the government the burden of having to roll-over huge arrears from previous years into a new fiscal year and be cash-trapped, he explained.
Sharing his thoughts on the country’s fiscal deficit at a forum organised by the Institute of Economic and Financial Journalists (IFEJ) with support from Star Ghana on the prosecution of the 2013 budget, Dr Botchwey said much as that may be difficult,  there was the need to ensure that spending was prudent and “has value for money”.
The budget deficit rose to US$4.9 billion in 2012, up from the US$3.54 billion recorded the previous year.
In the same year, the current account deficit was 12.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is value of goods and services produced in the country, compared to the 2011 figure which was nine per cent of that year's GDP.

Public Investment Programme
Consequently, Dr Botchwey urged the government to adopt what he described as the Public Investment Programme (PIP), which helps to define the criteria for admitting any project into the budget.
The former finance minister is credited for being the first to balance Ghana’s budget and even recording a marginal budget surplus of 0.1 per cent of GDP. He also led the team that halted the country negative GDP growth into positive growth in the early 1980s.
He said “if a project to be undertaken in the budget is of a commercial value we need to ensure it is profitable and if it is a social programme, we need to ensure it is cost effective”.
“If we allow the programmes in the budget to satisfy these criteria and make sure that they are the cost and have value, we will be seen to be doing the right things to avoid a deficit”, he added.
Dr Botchwey said “in the budget you have the current expenditures, wages and salaries and so on, and you have the development budget; if you want to manage the finances well and you must cut expenditures in the cause of the year, the only things you cut are your development projects because you cannot cut salaries in the middle of the year or avoid interest payments”.
 
Budget 2013
He said the current budget was set on the right path because it set out the fundamental problem, exposes the magnitude of the arrears, draws a programme to clear the arrears, adding that “putting a ban on new projects is in the right direction”.
Dr Botchwey said much as those among many initiatives proposed in the budget were laudable, the big question remained, “can the government hold the line”?
To him, there were pressures which were building up already with a lot of complaining from the public, but was quick to add “we need to hold the line”.
The former finance minister was of the view that “this, when done well  will create more fiscal space for subsequent years. If we do not do this, we will have the arrears rolling along and it would  affect our monetary policy, productivity as a nation and deter investors”.

 Fiscal Operations January-June
Preliminary data for the first half of the year, according to the recent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana, indicate that, both revenue and expenditure were below their respective targets for the period. The budget recorded an overall deficit (cash basis) of 4.5 percent of GDP which was within target for the period.
Total revenue and grants was GH¢9.5 billion, against a target of GH¢10.6 billion. Of this outturn, domestic revenue amounted to GH¢9.0 billion, below the target of GH¢9.8 billion.
Total tax revenue amounted to GH¢6.7 billion, compared to the target of GH¢7.7 billion. This was as a result of under performance of almost all the tax types, reflecting lower imports and energy sector challenges. Grant disbursements amounted to GH¢507.6 million, 41.8 per cent below target. 

Focus on NTEs
A Chartered Economist and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Mr John Gatsi, also called for concerted efforts to salvage the declining value of the country’s Non Traditional Exports (NTEs).
While acknowledging that Ghana is an import led economy, Mr Gatsi who was a discussant at the forum said it was imperative to also focus on revamping the export sector with particular emphasis on NTEs.
Revenue from the country’s main NTEs which include agriculture produce, processed and semi- processed products and handicrafts, declined in 2012 by 2.43 per cent to US$2.364 as compared to 2011 earnings of US$2.423 billion. graphic.com.gh

Govt seeks strategic investors to revive trade fair

With the facilities at the Ghana International Trade Center crumbling, Charles Benoni Okine reports about efforts being made to revive it.

The government is seeking strategic investors, both locally and foreign, to partner it to restore the deteriorating trade fair centre in Accra to its former glory.
According to the Director of Communication at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Nana Akrasi Sarpong, the move forms part of the government’s Public Private Partnership programme.
He was answering questions at a budget advocacy programme organised by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) and supported by Star Ghana.
“While the government awaits the strategic investor, the ministry has secured some US$5 million to kick-start some major rehabilitation works at the site in preparation for the hosting of the next ECOWAS Trade Fair later in the year”, he said.

State of trade fair centre
The Ghana Trade Fair Centre, the once magnificent edifice meant to host major local and international fairs has been left to rot, a situation which makes it unattractive and safe to host any major fair or exhibition.
Built some five decades ago, the Centre, which is placed in the care of the Ghana Trade Fair Company under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, was meant to be a site to showcase the works of industrialists in the country as part of efforts to promote made-in-Ghana goods as well as serve as a platform for other countries, mostly from the sub-region to exhibit their products and services to promote the sub regional integration agenda.

State of structures
The roofs of the main two main pavilions (A/B) right after the entrance of the Centre are virtually coming off making it virtually impossible to host any major event, particularly during the rainy season.
Individuals or organisations which intend to use the facilities as they are would have to pay GhC1,500 per day to use the empty stuff place which has no rest rooms because the old structures to be washrooms are in a sorry-state.
Again, the wooden structures erected around those two pavilions to accommodate mainly small exhibitors such as traders in handicraft and members of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) are also rotting off because of lack of painting to hold the structures together and prevent the attacks of termites among other things.
To the left after entering from the main gate, a new pavilion still under construction which was meant to be used as an ICT Centre has been permanently converted into a mini supermarket owned by a company by name Rice and Sugar.
Nana Sarpong said the ministry recognized the importance of the trade fair center and was doing all things possible to ensure that the center was restored to its former state.

Core Group school journalists on Apple Apps

By Charles Benoni Okine
Core Group Africa (CGA), a key representative of leading ICT and entertainment technology companies, has educated journalists in Ghana on the use and value of Apple applications on the iPad and iPad Mini in particular.
Among the Apps, which are of value to enhance the work of the journalists were, Evernote; Quickoffice; Journalists Pro; Keynote; Numbers; Coverit Live; Wordpress; Voice Recorder HD (Audio Boo); ProCamera HD; FlipBoard among many others.
Madam Taryn Hyam from Core Group Africa who took the participants through the Apps said “Apple has about 850,000 Apps which helps make the use of the iPad and iPad Mini an interesting tool to work with”.
According to her, journalists all over the world were using the Apple Apps to enhance their way of reporting and posting interesting stories on social media.
Madam Hyam said the time had come for journalists in Ghana to also explore and experience the various Apps to take their profession to the next level.
“I know many people are scared to explore but use them and practice and they will give you what you want”, she added.

Sale on credit
She said very soon, interested people could acquire the iPads and Ipad Mini on credit basis over the 12 month period, interest free.
The move she said is to enable more people to buy the product and experience the wide variety of Apps to enhance their way of doing things.
“We have piloted the credit sale in Nigeria and we will so do same in Ghana”, she said.
About Core Group
AfricaCore group Africa is a subsidiary of Core Group of South Africa,
and responsible for the Nigerian, Ghanaian and Angolan markets.
Core Group has represented some of the world's leading information, communication and entertainment technology companies in South Africa since the end of the 1980s.
It key brands are Apple and Nintendo, and also represent many of the key ancillary brands.
The company typically act as the exclusive and dedicated full-service brand custodians, managing a brand's presence from end-to-end, taking care of logistics, distribution, sales, marketing, retail operations and regulatory compliance. GB
Writers email: cb.okine@yahoo.com

Help check unethical practices in advertising – Haruna tasks AAG

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has called on the Advertisers Association of Ghana (AAG) to help check what he described as the “unethical practices” by some its members.

“Sometimes we see adverts on billboards that are completely misleading and unacceptable because they insult the sensibilities of the people either culturally or religiously”, he said.

Mr Iddrisu made the call when a high-powered delegation from the AAG paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Ministries in Accra.

The call afforded the members of the association to present a draft copy of a proposed bill of the regulation of advertising practice in the country.

The bill when passed is meant to ensure that the practice of advertising in the country is fully regulated to stop unethical practices within the profession which is said to be having a negative impact on society.

Mr Iddrisu said the government is concerned about the challenges that the association faced in terms of trying to ensure sanity among practitioners and “will do all it can to ensure that those challenges are surmounted”.

He said the proposed draft bill of the association will carefully studied at the government level before a decision is finally made on it.

“On the personal level, I think this is good because of the positive impact it will have on the industry and so I will do my best to see how it will adopted and accepted by all”, he said.

The President of the association, Mrs Norkor Duah, on her part said the association is poised to ensure strict adherence to laid-down rules in the industry.

“The advertising practice has enormous impact on the development of the country and therefore, we want to see it governed by rules, hence the bill.

She expressed the hope that the government will consider its passage in due course to enable practitioners discharge the obligations under the law.

GRA to demand tax on Stars bonuses.

For long, players of the senior national soccer team have not been made to pay taxes. But Charles Benoni Okine reports on the new turn of events as far as the payment of taxes on their bonuses is concerned.

THE Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has vowed to demand up to $400,000, being five per cent withholding tax on the bonuses paid to the players of the senior national soccer team, Black Stars at the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which just ended in South Africa.

The taxes will also be slapped on all the various sponsorship packages that the team received prior to the tournament of which the Black Stars again failed to annex the ultimate in spite of the heavy sums taken from the taxpayers to meet their expenses.

Each member of the team received US$37,500 for reaching the quarter finals and an additional US$52 million for reaching the semifinals where they were kicked out.

All these amount exclude the minimum of US$400 a day they are said to have received as per diem.

According to the tax authority, it is presently awaiting the arrival of the team after which it will request from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the full details of the payments made to the team as bonuses and per diem to enable it compute the necessary taxes for payment.

A highly placed source at the GRA told the Graphic Business exclusively that, the tax authority is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that all those who deserve, by law, to pay taxes do so and the Black Stars players will not be exempted.

The resolve of the GRA this time has raised questions about why the tax authority has failed to prevail on the sports authorities to apply the law the same way it is meant for all.

As the per the 1992 Constitution, the President is the only citizen of the land who is exempted from paying taxes, a situation which leaves many wondering why the Black Stars should, either advertently or inadvertently be exempted from paying taxes on what they earn.

Some civil servants the Graphic Business spoke with expressed anger at the action of the government and the GRA for their persistent refusal to tax the Black Stars.

According to some of them who pleaded anonymity, “the government heavily taxes our meager salaries yet refuses to tax the fat bonuses of the Black Star players or any other sportsmen and women who feature in international tournaments”.

This, they described as unfortunate and unacceptable and called on the GRA to pursue the authorities to do the right thing just the same way they do to the civil servants and any other taxpayer in the country.

There were others who also argued that with the GRA now demanding from people to pay taxes on the gifts they receive, the tax authority, therefore, has no excuse to refuse to demand taxes on those who sponsor the Black Stars openly.

“The tax authorities must be fair to all and stop discriminating as far as tax collection is concerned”, the said.

The GRA has made such pledges in the past but has consistently refused to collect from the team.

The GRA is also very noted for going after sources they can easily target to collect taxes and those who refuse to honour their tax obligations are made to face distress action.

The Black Stars failed to justify why they should be paid huge bonuses as they were kicked out of the tournament at the semifinal level in their march against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

This was in spite of the show of bias towards the Black Stars by the referee for the match who persistently frustrated Burkinabe to pave way for the Stars to win the match.

Eventually, the Black Stars were kicked out in the penalty shootout where they failed to shine again.

Airport passengers wish list – lessons for Ghana

Charles Benoni Okine with additional files from eTurboNews shares some perspectives about what passengers want at airports and what Ghana requires.

With the growing air and passenger traffic at the county’s foremost international airport in Accra, the government has decided to build an ultra-modern airport in the country to meet the demand and to make the country the true gateway to the rest of the continent.

The idea comes in handy because of the strategic location of the country on the world map. Should the idea come to fruition, Ghana will stand to gain through huge revenues it will generate from the use of the airport as a major transit point for many airlines across the world.

Presently, the Kotoka International Airport does not befit the status of a country which has just attained a lower middle income status.

While the tarmacs have become too small to accommodate the large number of airlines that use the airport, the passage area has also become too small to allow for comfort.

Walls have developed dangerous cracks and air conditioners are not working, forcing the authorities to use electric fans that blow things away.

The conveyor belts do not function properly and because they are also not many, whenever there are more than two airlines landing at the same time, passengers are found wanting because their luggage delays unduly. More seriously, because of the delays, some passengers lose their belongings to pilfering.

At Kotoka, there are no designated sleeping areas where people waiting for their airlines that have delayed for instance can stretch and take a nap.

These among many others are lacking at Kotoka and therefore, it can only be described as a laudable idea, the intention of the government to build a new one that will have all passengers want at an airport to encourage more people and airlines to use Ghana.

Air traveler’s airport wish list

Even with the facilities at airports such as Heathrow Terminal 5 owned by British Airways, John F. Kennedy Airport terminal 4 belonging to Delta Airlines, a recent research reveals that passengers want more and have developed their wish list.

According to eTurboNews, a global survey of more than 10,000 travellers has revealed a cinema as the most desired airport facility. Worried that their travel plans may prevent them catching the latest blockbusters, a huge 49 per cent of flyers chose an on-site cinema as their dream airport wish, reveals global travel search site Skyscanner.

Designated sleeping areas that will allow travellers the opportunity to catch up on a few hours' sleep also fared well.  Additionally more than a third of respondents voted for sleep pods at their dream airport, making it the second most popular facility.

Despite the rise of e-books, the traditional paperback is clearly still a popular choice with 32 per cent of travellers wishing for an airport library, making it the third most wanted airport facility, and allowing holidaymakers to immerse themselves in a novel by the pool, then simply return it after landing back home.

The report also revealed that a huge 31 per cent of flyers voted for a green outdoor area in their dream airport. A park was the fourth most popular airport facility, which would no doubt offer a welcome change of environment, especially for those waiting for connecting flights.

The fifth most popular facility in a dream airport, with one in three travellers wishing for it, is a vanity area offering salon and spa treatments, allowing holidaymakers to pamper themselves with last minute massages, manicures and haircuts.

Some of the more unlikely facilities to feature at a dream airport include a gym, with 15 per cent of flyers longing for a last chance at toning their 'holiday body' and a karaoke area, with 5 per cent of travellers wishing to kill time and a song.

While both males and females were in agreement over their top choice of an airport cinema, there was a greater gender discrepancy with the other most wanted features. Despite the rise in metrosexual males, a massive 45 per cent of women wanted a vanity area to freshen up compared to just 14 per cent of men and more than 10 percent of women wanted a personal shopper, compared to just 8 per cent of guys.

Men on the other hand, appear to prefer active entertainment at their dream airport, with a swimming pool voted the fifth most wanted feature, and more than one in 10 guys wanting to tour the airport on complimentary bikes, compared to just 9 per cent of ladies.

What some airports have

In foreseeing the demands of the passengers, some airports have been proactive and taken the initiative.

For instance, the report said flyers may not have to dream for too long because Hong Kong International Airport already boasts a UA IMAX theatre, offering cinema fans a range of IMAX 2D and 3D movies.

While the second most popular choice, the sleeping pods facility, has also been introduced at Abu Dhabi Airport at a cost of £8 per hour, offering weary flyers an affordable alternative to a hotel room is necessary.

Lessons for Ghana

Whilst many of the larger airports are beginning to offer passengers a wider range of facilities, there is clearly a great demand for airport entertainment, especially for those travelling with young children.

By offering fun experiences at airports, such as the golf course at Hong Kong International Airport or the swimming pool and Jacuzzi at Changi Airport in Singapore, waiting for a flight becomes less or a chore and more part of the holiday itself.

The dram airport in Ghana should therefore, take into consideration these facilities as per the report to ensure that what has been the dream of an ultra-modern airport will match the expectations.

In the meantime, there is the need for the airport authorities at Kotoka to speedy up the renovation works to bring it up to standard to make the use of the place more comfortable.

The government also needs to realise that the more aircrafts and passengers that use the Kotoka, the more money it can generate and, therefore, there is the need for more investment.

Top 10 most wanted features:

Cinema; Sleep pod; Library; Park; Vanity area; Kids play area; Pool;
Gym; Man-made beach; Bikes

PPA can’t be blamed for WB project delays – Sallas-Mensah

World Bank recently released list projects it has provided funds for but that have delayed and the procurement process has been blamed as the cause. Charles Benoni Okine reports on the reaction from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on the issue and measures to transform the country’s procurement processes.

THE Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, said the authority cannot be blamed for the delays in the execution of World Bank funded projects in the country.

According to him, the World Bank has its own procurement system which is long and cumbersome and indicated that “that could be the cause of delays in implementing projects from which the bank is funding”.

Speaking to the Graphic Business in an interview, the PPA Boss said, the authority had its own processes and systems which it follows to ensure that projects are not delayed because of the procurement processes.

He said even when the PPA has been part of the procurement process, it is left with the World Bank to approve for the release of funds after its ‘No Objection’ which can take many months to approve.

A report published by the bank last month extended the deadline for the implementation of the eGhana project meant to assist the government to generate growth and employment by leveraging ICT and public-private partnerships to develop the IT Enabled Services industry in the country until June 30 next year.

The US$84.7 million which was awarded in August, 2006 was also meant to contribute to improved efficiency and transparency of selected government functions through e-government applications.
According to the special report from the bank which gives updates on the progress of implementation of the bank’s sponsored projects, the implementing Agencies; Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, has so far sourced only US$42.4 million.

The update highlights the status of World Bank supported projects.

In his reaction to the World Bank report on the delays to the e-government project, the former Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu told the Graphic Business that the procurement processes are a major cause of the delays in implementing such projects.

He mentioned for instance the e-immigration project which he said had its procurement processes alone taking more than two years.

Meanwhile he gave the assurance that the remaining amount will be utilized to beat the deadline by his predecessor.

When questioned about the procurement processes of the bank, an official of the World Bank also indicated that it was up to the government agency responsible for the procurement processes to do its work.

The official indicated that the bank only applies the ‘No Objection’ rule which he said does not take time.

However, Mr Sallas-Mensah said the World Bank cannot escape blame for the delays.

He said the bank’s processes have come under scrutiny because of the delays in causes to projects it has provided funds for and noted that, there are calls globally for it to amend its systems and processes to avoid delays to project implementation.

E-Government Procurement

Meanwhile, E-Government Procurement (E-GP) project meant to enhance the country’s procurement processes and block the financial loopholes in the system begins with effect from January next year.

The project which will begin as a pilot is expected to also enhance transparency in the public procurement process; provide a common platform for use by public institutions in public procurement and public financial management; and

Enhance competition by facilitating increased participation of service providers for government contracts.

Mr Sallas-Mensah, told the Graphic Business that the introduction of the E-procurement system is expected to bring a major relief to contractors and suppliers who are often robbed of their genuine opportunity to win bids for contracts they tender; while checking rampant corrupt practices which emanate from the involvement of human interface in the procurement processes.

Procurement experts, most of who are from the donor agencies have bitterly complained about the massive corruption in the country’s procurement processes, a canker they believe can only be cured through the introduction of an electronic procurement system which eliminates humans in the process to a large extent.

Reports indicate that more than 70 per cent of the country’s budget is expended through the procurement processes and the lack of a robust system creates avenues for a chunk of the funds meant for development projects to sip into individual pockets.

The E-Procurement Project forms part of the wider E-Ghana Project sponsored by the World Bank and intended to automate the process of public procurement using Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications.

The three main objectives of the Project are to: The Project which is led by the PPA seeks to ensure that public procurement is undertaken in accordance with annual procurement plans and as per the rules, regulations and processes defined by Act 663. 

“The introduction of the E-GP into the public sector holds enormous benefits for SMEs and the larger private sector”, he said. 

To the private sector, he also noted that, the project will facilitate the provision of a one stop registration for dealing with government through the E-Procurement portal.

This is expected to increase the number of suppliers, contractors and consultants that register; Constant availability for tendering opportunities, submission of tender documents and evaluation could be performed through telematic registries 24 hours a day.

It will also help minimise face-to-face contacts with government officials and thus reduce the perception of corrupt practices.

All the information relating to the procurement process will be published on-line on a real time basis while ensuring greater transparency, by virtue of being able to view tender openings via the internet.