The Public Procurement and Public Assets Disposal Board (PPADB) has engaged services of the World Bank to assist in developing the scheme of service and job profiles for procurement personnel as part of professionalizing procurement in government, PPADB Executive Chairperson, Bridget John has revealed.
Speaking at the Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Certificate in Public Sector Procurement and Tender Process Management programme as well as Certificates for Advanced Taxation last week, John noted that the purpose of this engagement is to ensure procurement in government is done by the right people to attain the best results.
She said the World Bank will also facilitate PPADB to introduce a Price Guide for Works, Services and Supplies that will serve as a reference point for Tender Evaluators to objectively assess the reasonableness of prices quoted given that more often than not, contractors submit very high prices for government’s work.
The tripartite coalition of PPADB, BAC, and Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) expect BAC graduates to enhance the taxation and public sector procurement industry. In total, 61 graduates were awarded Certificates in Public Sector Procurement and Tender Process Management while 40 graduated in Advanced Taxation.
“The keys to a successful nation are held by many hands therefore it is important that all those hands are up to the task. Today we saw the first cohort of Public Sector Procurement and Tender Process Management students graduate from BAC. The 61 graduates are the first results of a partnership with the PPADB which began in July 2014. BAC is proud to join PPADB in helping to deliver more efficient professionals to Botswana’s procurement value chain,” said BAC Executive Director, Michael Lesolle.
The BAC has indicated that the Public Sector Procurement and Tender Process Management programme is designed to enhance skills in delivering the objectives of the PPADB Act and Regulations. Graduates of the programme are expected to effectively, efficiently and economically carry out their procurement duties in their respective organisations and government departments. The six-month course builds skills for procurement personnel to effectively manage the function within their organisations.
The Advanced Taxation programme, which is endorsed by BURS, has been offered by BAC since 2006. Its purpose is to empower graduates in broadening their tax horizons and becoming highly skilled resources. The graduates are equipped with skills to understand the tax system in Botswana and deal with tax audit professionals.
Permanent Secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi, who was the keynote speaker said; “The various complexities of procurement and taxation, whether for private or public sector, need very careful management.” He said for government, it is of vital importance that the tax payers receive value for their money as public sector procurement or tax professionals carry out their duties. “The partnerships BAC has forged with PPADB and BURS are practical and interdependent. When the market identifies a skills gap, BAC equips the learner with training to actively provide a solution to fill the gap. Botswana can only move forward through such innovative relationships,” he said.