Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to overhauling the public procurement system to ensure there is greater transparency and accountability. During his press conference held on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasized the government’s unwavering dedication to ensuring compliance with procurement laws and fairness in the process.
“Let me tell you that we’re dead serious about this matter,” Jagdeo noted. “Because when a Government is in office, they often develop tunnel vision and become impervious to anything that could go wrong. They try to be defensive. We’re not going to be defensive on procurement frauds or scandals.”
Jagdeo highlighted that this rigorous review would be conducted at every level of the government. He made it clear that the administration would not shield individuals involved in corrupt practices, stating, “We’re not gonna lay our heads under any blocks for people who rip off the citizens of this country. We want to make sure that we address the flaws because we believe it fits in with our ideals and goals, and it will also help our country.”
The Vice President also reflected on the procurement scandals that plagued the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition regime. He noted that while the scrutiny on the PPP/C Government has intensified, the administration is committed to transparency and accountability. “With the PPP, we have to be extra careful about this. Let me put it bluntly, corruption under the PPP could be 10 percent of what took place under APNU, but the media will make it look like a hundred times or 10 times more, and we’ve seen this before. They will magnify it. They minimize what took place under APNU and blow out of proportion what takes place under this government,” Jagdeo asserted.
Despite the challenges, the Vice President acknowledged the vast changes in Guyana’s procurement landscape, with numerous projects being undertaken daily. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to accountability, stating, “We need to make sure that we do what we have to do to ensure that if we can’t eliminate the corruption, because it’s thousands of contracts every day adjudicated at different levels – regional level, department level, ministerial level and then at the National (Procurement and Tender Administration) Board – that we ensure this (review ) is done.”
Jagdeo also addressed the issue of delays in processing payments for contractors, a critical concern for many in the industry. The government’s review process aims to streamline these payments, ensuring timely disbursement and fair treatment for contractors who have completed their work.
The announcement of this comprehensive review comes in the wake of the government’s recent declaration to overhaul public procurement systems nationwide to curb corrupt practices. Jagdeo had previously warned state employees and others involved in the procurement process that they would face serious consequences if found guilty of corruption.
“We’re serious about ensuring greater accountability in this country. We’ve put in place the measures to ensure that that would happen, not just in the oil and gas sector but in every sector. And, we’re busy working for the people who matter – the people of this country,” the Vice President said.
Jagdeo stated this firm stance on procurement reform underscores the PPP/C Government’s broader commitment to transparency and good governance, promising a more equitable and efficient public procurement system for Guyana.
