Embrace NeST or face music, govt warns

TANZANIA: THE Deputy Minister for Finance, Hamad Hassan Chande, has directed all procurement institutions in the country to ensure that they use the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) in processing their procurements.

He made the statement during the opening of a two-day training session for bidders organized by the Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA) and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) on the submission and handling of complaints/appeals related to public procurement in the NeST system.

“I am aware that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance has issued a directive requiring suppliers and procurement institutions to conduct all procurement processes, including submitting complaints or appeals, through NeST,” Mr Chande said.

He warned that all institutions that do not embrace this system will be penalised per the existing laws and regulations.

“To all suppliers and businesspeople engaged in various activities with the government, if there are any violations of procurement procedures in the respective processes, ensure that complaints or appeals arising from these violations are submitted within the timeframe specified by law,” he said.

The deputy minister emphasized that PPAA has to ensure that all those under its jurisdiction embrace the NeST system and understand it.

He stressed that justice and equality must always take center stage in the operations of procurement institutions in the country.

“In conducting your responsibilities, you must always act justly for all people by providing impartial services that uphold justice, equality, and human dignity,” he said.

Mr Chande added that experts should be registered with the Procurement and Supplies Professionals and Technicians Board (PSPTB) and work professionally, and those found to be unregistered will face legal consequences.

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Earlier, the Executive Secretary of PPAA, Mr James Sando, stated that the appeals authority was established to resolve conflicts arising from public procurement processes more quickly, thereby facilitating the timely execution of government activities, services, and projects.

“In addition to that, through the complaints and appeals handled, the PPAA assists the government by ensuring that the Public Procurement Law is adhered to, thereby securing real value for money through procurement,” said Mr. Sando.

He mentioned that during the three years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the PPAA has continued to fulfill its primary role of resolving conflicts arising from public procurement processes with fairness, transparency, integrity, and expediency, enabling the timely delivery of quality services to citizens.

Additionally, during the three years, the appeals authority has made significant progress in areas aligned with President Samia’s 4R philosophy.

Mr Sando noted that the PPAA handled a total of 150 cases over the three years of President Samia’s administration, all related to public procurement processes.

Through these cases, which were heard and decided upon, the PPAA has been able to prevent the awarding of contracts to bidders who did not meet the required qualifications.

Among other points, Mr. Sando mentioned that the time required to handle complaints or appeals arising from public procurement processes has been reduced from seven (7) days to five (5) working days.

Additionally, the time for the PPAA to handle complaints or appeals has been reduced from 45 to 40 days.

A two-day training session that ends today has attracted bidders from the Coast, Tanga, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam regions as the first phase.