DODOMA: THE Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has said that the Public Procurement Act, 2023, together with its 2024 Regulations, has strengthened discipline in the use of public funds and sealed loopholes that previously enabled leakages and inefficiencies.
The authority emphasised that all public entities are now required to conduct procurement activities in strict compliance with the new legal framework to ensure transparency, value for money and enhanced oversight of public resources.
Speaking in Dodoma this week, PPRA Director General Dennis Simba said the sixth phase government enacted the law following a rigorous consultative process that involved a wide range of stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, a move he noted had enhanced the efficiency, credibility and enforceability of the legal framework.
Mr Simba made the remarks during a capacity-building seminar for Dodoma-based journalists, organised by the PPRA to promote accurate reporting on public procurement, enhance transparency and counter misinformation.
He added that enforcement of the 2023 Act has already yielded positive results in curbing misuse of public resources, noting that between 60 and 70 per cent of the national budget is spent through public procurement and must therefore be safeguarded by a robust legal system.
“For proper governance, transparency and value for money, every shilling spent through procurement must comply with the law,” he stressed.
Presenting on the Public Procurement Act, 2023 (Cap 410), PPRA Chief Procurement Officer Ally Shaali said the law and its regulations introduce tighter price-control mechanisms requiring procuring entities to apply benchmark prices, adhere to market rates and justify any price variations.
He said the revised law signed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on September 29, 2023 was crafted to strengthen discipline in the use of government funds and close loopholes that previously allowed leakages and inefficiency.
ALSO READ: PPRA reminds LGAs to capitalize on e-procurement
Mr Shaali also traced the evolution of Tanzania’s procurement framework, noting that the first public procurement statute (Act No. 3) was enacted in 2001 before the reforms carried out later, culminating into the current 2023 legislation.
“The law covers all stages of procurement, supply chain management and disposal of public assets through tendering unless otherwise specified,” he said.
Closing the seminar, PPRA Director of Legal Services, Advocate Paul Kadushi, said the government spends over 20tr/- annually through tenders, yet many citizens remain unaware of the opportunities available, especially special groups legally entitled to 30 per cent of procurement budgets from all public institutions.
He urged journalists to seize the opportunities themselves while amplifying information that helps the wider public, particularly youth, women and persons with disabilities, to benefit from government procurement.
“These opportunities are not limited to small tenders. Even technical tenders are open to capable youth graduating from universities. But those who secure the tenders must deliver, as misuse of funds defeats the purpose,” he cautioned.
Adv Kadushi emphasised that PPRA will continue ensuring that beneficiaries of specialgroup tenders meet contractual obligations and uphold value for money, saying compliance is crucial for expanding opportunities to more Tanzanians.