Dar es Salaam. The National Electronic Procurement System of Tanzania (NEPST) is set to become operational before the end of next month as the government seeks to fill loopholes for revenue leakages.
The Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning, Mr Hamad Chande, told The Citizen at the weekend that all was set for the system to start.
“It is a must that it (the new procurement e-system) will become operational this year and probably this month or next month,” he said.
The system will replace the current Tanzania National e-Procurement System (TANePs) that seems to have some weaknesses and thus provides loopholes for revenue leakage.
Speaking in Parliament in November last year, Mr Chande said the new system would set a price cap and thus prevent fraud through overpricing of products or services.
“With the new system, the government can also detect in advance loopholes for revenue leakage,” he noted.
Mr Chande urged government institutions to join the system so that the taxpayers’ money could be used in a disciplined manner.
“NEPST will be a lasting solution to the challenge of misuse of the public fund,” he said.
Effective public procurement systems can help governments see better value for money.
Without specifying the period, Mr Chande said with the new system, the government could stand a chance to save over Sh2 trillion that would have been lost due to inefficiencies of the current system.
On January 23, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) wrote to all procurement entities, suppliers, contractors and service providers to inform them about the new e-system.
“The authority is underway to introduce a newly developed e-procurement system to all stakeholders in the public procurement sector,” reads a part of the letter signed by the authority’s CEO, Mr Eliakim Maswi
The letter posted on the authority’s website added: “As a matter of fact all scheduled training on TANePS for PEs, suppliers, contractors and service providers have been cancelled with effect from Feb 1, 2023.”
On July 6, 2022, PPRA issued a public notice for the annual dissemination program on application of TANePS, Public Procurement Act Cap 410, Procurement implementation tools and Procurement Contract management for the financial year 2022/23.
In November this year, PAC vice chairperson Japhet Hasunga said in Parliament that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems without a strong internal control, would not address a challenge of public funds embezzlement.
Noting that the government was spending a lot of money on ICT systems, he said, failure of the systems to seal revenue leakage would be a huge loss to a country.
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Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
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Bhaloo, who is also Chairman of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), cited pressing family issues as the reason for his departure.Continue Reading
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ZAT and Transworld, companies providing ground handling services at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, have to lay off workers to stay afloat.Continue Reading
