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During a meeting in Parliament, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called for an urgent amendment to the Public Procurement Act of 2016 due to its failure to penalize breaches of its provisions.
Members of Parliament on the committee expressed serious concerns over the Act’s lack of fines or penalties for violations. This issue arose during their investigation into the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).
Honourable Ibrahim Conteh, Chairman of the committee, emphasized the Act’s shortcomings, particularly its failure to include disciplinary measures for procurement breaches. He argued that this gap hinders their ability to enforce accountability.
“The Act addresses many crucial aspects of procurement but fails to outline any disciplinary actions,” said Hon. Conteh. “As a result, we are currently unable to impose measures against MBSSE officials, and any attempt would be unlawful,” he added.
Honourable Aaron Koroma also expressed frustration over the Act’s lack of punitive provisions, stressing the need for an urgent amendment to include clear penalties for procurement infractions.
“Given the current lack of punitive measures, you are fortunate not to face severe penalties,” said Hon. Koroma.
The committee unanimously agreed on the need for a swift amendment to the Act to prevent future breaches and ensure compliance with procurement procedures. The issue is now under consideration, as the PAC seeks to strengthen legal provisions to better address procurement violations.
