Ilemela loan groups advised on NeST use

MWANZA: TWENTY entrepreneurial groups benefiting from the 10 per cent loan scheme issued by Ilemela Municipal Council in Mwanza Region have been advised to register and process all public procurement activities through the National e-Procurement System (NeST).

The Ilemela Municipal Procurement Officer, Mr Nasib Lucas, said during a recent training on the NeST that the session was aimed at building the capacity of group members to register on the platform, search for available tenders and comply with the correct online procurement procedures.

“Register on the system and apply for tenders according to your qualifications. There is no preference, everyone who meets the criteria has an equal chance,” he said.

Mr Lucas took participants through the registration and application procedures and encouraged them to make use of available opportunities, stressing that all qualified applicants stand an equal chance of securing tenders.

Apart from public procurement training, the group members were also provided with education on how to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), the importance of paying taxes voluntarily, as well as an understanding of the 10 per cent loans provided to youth, women and people with disabilities through the council’s internal revenue.

Ilemela Municipality Head of the Industry, Trade and Investment Division, Mr Kefa Gembe said the NeST system has increased transparency and equality in access to government tenders.

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“All government tenders are available through the NeST system with transparency and equality. Your groups have a great chance of benefiting if they adhere to the criteria set,” Mr Gembe said.

He noted that currently all government tenders are available through the system, thus providing equal opportunities for all qualified people to participate, including special social groups. A participant in the training, who is the Chairman of ‘Bajaj’ Drivers in Ilemela District, Mr Joel Emanuel, said he was satisfied with the education he received.

“I used to believe that tenders were given to special people, but now we have understood that we also have a chance. This education will help us to improve ourselves economically,” he said. He said the education he gained has given him the confidence and motivation to fully participate in tender opportunities.