ESWATINI’S PROCUREMENT SYSTEM TO BE ASSESSED

MBABANE - The public procurement system of Eswatini will be assessed using the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS).

The MAPS Assessment in Eswatini is funded by the African Development Bank, which shall take the lead role, working closely with the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) as the lead institution. ESPPRA CEO Vusumutiwendvodza Matsebula, in a briefing note, mentioned that the draft concept note initiating the project has been submitted to the MAPS Secretariat for review and quality assurance, and ESPPRA assured that it would be shared with ASC members.

He said the Assessment Steering Committee (ASC)Members workshop will be launched tomorrow, and the launch workshop will inform the participants about the MAPS assessment process for Eswatini, the salient features of the assessment, including the MAPS methodology, key stages and timelines, and the support and input needed from all stakeholders. “The workshop will also provide a platform for participants to provide feedback to the assessment team to make this exercise participatory, inclusive, and effective to meet the objectives of the assessment within the given timeline,” he added.

Identify

When asked about the main purpose of the workshop, Matsebula mentioned that the government aims to identify opportunities and challenges to the country’s procurement system, which would provide guidance in enhancing the current procurement framework and processes to make them more responsive to the needs of the government. “The broad development objective of the assessment is to support the government in improving the performance of the public procurement system and yield optimal results in the use of public funds and delivery of services to the citizens while maintaining high standards of integrity. “An improved public procurement system is also expected to contribute towards public procurement reform and support the development of a transparent, effective, and accountable public procurement system through strengthening the capacity of institutions in charge of public procurement,” he added.

Established

ESPPRA added that the Assessment Steering Committee (ASC) for MAPS Eswatini was being established under the chairmanship of the CEO of ESPPRA. They said the ASC will comprise representatives of central and local government, Category A parastatals, the Office of the Attorney General, the Anti-Corruption Commission, private sector entities, and civil society, as well as development partners. ESPPRA added that day to day management of the MAPS Assessment will be the responsibility of the MAPS Assessment team.

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