Public contracts: Gov’t launches campaign to sensitise, train stakeholders on e-procurement system.

It is designed to bring stakeholders up to speed with the system and influence widespread usage. Officials disclosed during the launching that from October 10 to November 22, 2024, the Ministry of Public Contracts will focus on sensitisation, popularisation and effective training of stakeholders.

This will be through campaigns to be organised in all regional capitals. It is expected to group participants, including contracting authorities, project owners, delegated project owners, tender boards and bidders.

The stakeholders will be schooled on registration on the system, which is simply known by its French language abbreviation as COLEPS.

Officials will also be drilled on the acquisition of the Electronic Certificate, a tool used mainly in authenticating the identity of individuals or legal persons using the COLEPS platform.

The platform, officials added, plays an essential role in protecting electronic transactions and provides fundamental guarantees for confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non-ejection.

Campaign strategic for efficiency, growth

Speaking during the launching ceremony, Minister Talba Malla said the newly-launched system will lead to growth in national development. 

The member of government said since the introduction of COLEPS system in 2019 with the pilot phase, several positive results have been recorded in the drive towards transitioning to full digitalisation of the sector.

Minister Talba Malla said since the start of 2024, government took the commitment to award at least 80% in number and value of contracts in the infrastructure, health and education sectors, from January to May, exclusively by electronic means. 

He said upon the execution of the projects, government received a satisfactory rating from the International Monetary Fund, IMF. 

According to the minister, the campaign will lay grounds for a widespread usage of the system and open doors for national development.

“We must bear in mind that electronic procurement procedures are inevitable and irreversible in the light of technological developments and the objectives of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy 30. I am deeply convinced that the challenge of digital transformation in this sector can be met, if we overcome our usual resistance to change,” the member of government stated.

For the 2025 fiscal year, the minister said, government, in accordance with the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policy 2024 to 2025, signed with the IMF, is expected to extend its usage of the system from 11 to 24 ministries.

He said the total value of contracts awarded online within the selected ministries through the COLEPS system, will be increased to 90%, from January to May 2025, when compared to what obtained in 2024.

“In view of this new benchmark for the 2025 financial year, and in my capacity as the Public Procurement Authority, I urge all players in this sector to take ownership of the COLEPS system,” the minister said.

“These activities are for the interest of public contracts worthy of public investment. It is aimed at ensuring the development of the country and the wellbeing of the people; be it in terms of roads, healthcare and other infrastructures,” Minister Talba Malla said.

Gratitude to national, int’l partners 

Minister Talba Malla also expressed gratitude to the national and international partners that are accompanying the State in the introduction and the running of the system.

He cited the contribution of South Korea for financing the putting in place of the system, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, known by its abbreviation as KOICA.

The minister also hailed the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for accompanying government in its smooth running as well as the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies, for its close collaboration. 

Yesterday’s event also witnessed the handing over of awards by the Ministry of Public Contracts to ministries and institutions that have so far distinguished themselves in the usage of the COLEPS system, since its introduction. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3256 of Friday October 11, 2024