October 28, 2019
By Ibrahim Tarawallie
Chief Executive of NPPA, Ibrahim Brima Swaray admonishing procurement officers
Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has admonished procurement officers to strictly adhere to the Price Norm in carrying out their procurement processes.
“We need to meet international benchmarks. The price norm is something the Government of Sierra Leone has agreed to as one of the conditionalities of the World Bank. Going forward, people should be held responsible if they decided not to use the price norm and we are going to enforce it,” Ibrahim Brima Swaray said.
At the official launch of the 4th Quarter Price Norm on Friday October 25, 2019, Mr. Swarray disclosed that letters have been written to all ministries, departments and agencies reminding them about the compulsory use of the price norm.
The price norm is regarded as a guide to market prices of commonly used items by MDAs and local councils.
According to the NPPA chief, the World Bank told the government that if they want them to continue to provide support, the price norm should be a must, which is why practicing procurement officers should take it seriously.
He urged procurement officers to take the profession seriously as that is the only way they would be able to change people’s perception that procurement is a clerical job.
“For us to move away from that thought, we must ensure discipline is taking seriously. We need to take our job seriously by been professional in our work. We procured on behalf of government and as such we suppose too be treated seriously but we have a role to play for that to happen,” he said.
On his part, the authority’s Director of Procurement, Moses Ngebeh said: “The price norm will guide you in your procurement processes. Make sure you follow the guide as it would enhance your operations, whilst you carry out your responsibility in the running of MDAs. Our motive is to ensure that we reduce corruption.”
While admonishing procurement officers to follow the price norm and inform them about any challenges face, Mr. Ngebeh assured of that they will try as best as they could to make sure that they distribute the document to MDAs.
“We cannot look at the price norm and say it is highly adequate or sufficient for your operations. There will be some gaps but we can beef it up as we move along,” he stated.