PM: PROCUREMENT BILL WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis led debate on the Public Procurement Bill and Public Finance Management Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, telling parliamentarians that the legislation, once enacted, will allow for improved government financial management and greater transparency.

The bills will also repeal and replace the Public Finance Management Act 2021, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2018 and sections of the Financial Administration and Audit Act and The Public Procurement Act 2021.

Speaking on the Public Finance Management Act and Public Procurement Act that were passed under the former administration, Mr Davis described the laws as being unworkable from the start and said it was his administration’s job to correct the flaws.

“As the side opposite claims that the unworkable legislation they left on the books was ‘effective,’ the real question is: how would they even know? They didn’t actually implement the laws they passed in a real way,” the prime minister claimed.

“Fortunately, Madam Speaker, a new administration is in place that takes its commitment to transparency and sound financial management seriously. We will not wait until year five to rush through amendments as an afterthought. Good governance isn’t about checking boxes just to say you did something on paper. It is about the real results you get for people every day.”

Mr Davis noted that these replacement laws were necessary for effective public financial management and efficient public procurement processes. Under the new Public Procurement Bill, he said there will be preferential treatment for certain groups and also more widespread opportunities for businesses.

“Under the current Act, the most well-established, well resourced businesses were able to dominate government contracts under the guise of them being the best fit for the job. This sounds good on paper but ignores the reality on the ground,” he added.

“We will introduce preferences for micro, small and medium sized enterprises, women owned businesses, Family Island businesses and youth owned businesses. These are high priority areas we are targeting as a government to diversify opportunities in The Bahamas.