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.