National

Public Procurement Laws Not Being Followed

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis says his government has failed to follow public procurement laws that were passed and enacted under the former administration.

Published

3 years ago

August 9, 2022

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis says his government has failed to follow public procurement laws that were passed and enacted under the former administration. However, now he’s saying government plans to bring amendments soon.

“Not workable” is how the prime minister is describing the public procurement bill that was passed under the former administration. While admitting the government hasn’t followed that law, Davis says the act which came into force on September 1, 2021 is causing some issues.

The legislation among other things is crafted to provide transparency when it comes to how government ministries, departments, and other agencies enter contracts and expend public money. The act states the publication of procurement notes should be published in the gazette or in one or more newspapers of wide circulation.

Davis says laws doesn’t allow for quick reactions.

While he supported the legislation while in opposition, the PM committed to amending the legislation when they came into office. But, that didn’t happen.

The prime minister says there’s a more important question to be asked: Why pass a bill early in the year, and only allow it to go into effect in the later part of the year?