DNA strengthens Procurement Law to address corruption and inefficiency

The National Assembly (DNA) continued its discussion on the Procurement Law yesterday. Although the debate entered the second round, many changes were still made to the law. VHP faction leader and initiator Asis Gajadien emphasized that the Procurement Law had been needed for years since the introduction of the Accounting Act. A clause on public procurement had been removed from the new Accounting Act, with the promise that a separate procurement law would soon follow.
According to Gajadien, there were international obligations that Suriname had to adhere to and protocols already signed in the field of procurement. This required parliament and the government to make the necessary changes. One of the important points was restoring the direct relationship between the Tendering and Award Subcommittee (ORAG) and the ministries during allocations.
The responsibility of the parties involved is also highlighted, as they are obligated to provide accountability when awarding and tendering a project. Efficiency became a key aspect, with the number of intermediaries in the process reduced and responsibilities placed directly on the ministries or relevant agencies.
To increase transparency, the law introduces mandatory accountability and increased accountability for both ORAG and the ministries. There is now an obligation to publish decisions and results. Representatives from civil society also advocated for strengthening implementation capacity, especially concerning centralizing parts of the procurement process.
However, parliament decided to maintain the responsibilities of ORAG and the ministries and increase their accountability so it is clear who is responsible for what. Gajadien provided examples of irregularities, such as tenders where new rules are added after the award, without clear guidelines for standard specifications.
He also mentioned a case in which a contractor had to deposit money with the secretary of a deputy director to obtain a UWS statement. Gajadien called this unheard of. According to him, amendments to the law are necessary to address corruption and administrative weaknesses, as these issues weaken the economy.
Rabin Parmessar, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), argued that existing rules are sufficient to address abuses. He stated that certain departments do not follow the rules and that new legislation is not always necessary. NDP Assembly member Ebu Jones added that in certain districts, such as Nickerie, contracts are awarded without tenders.
Gajadien stressed that the amendments to the Procurement Law are necessary to promote fairness and equality. With the new amendments, general and transitional provisions are retained, while transparency, qualification, and competition are further established, along with rules for anti-corruption and preventing conflicts of interest. He called for the implementation of good rules and procedures that benefit society as a whole. The law will be further discussed at a later date.