Cabinet approves PPDA Bill to reduce high levels of bureaucracy

Cabinet has approved the Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA), Bill, 2018 in order to remove some levels of bureaucracy in the procurement of government assets.

Bureaucracy has been one of the reasons why government tends to take so long to conclude procurement deals.

Last year, the state minister of Finance David Bahati advocated for the passing of this Bill. However, according to the minister, some procurement professionals were fighting it since they were benefiting from many administrative levels in procurement.

Following many complaints and delays in the procurement departments of government ministries in 2016, the Bill was introduced before Parliament where it has also opposition from different government officials since its introduction.

However, of Tuesday government spokesman Ofwono Opondo informed journalists at Media Centre in Kampala that the Cabinet on Monday approved this bill in order to create clarity and immediacy in procurement processes of public assets.

According Ofwono, over 65 percent of inner wars in Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and all local governments have been coming from procurement departments because many have been benefiting from it.

“This Bill will reduce on the lengthy procurement lead time. Also, the number of key players in the administrative review will reduce from three to one,” said Ofwono.

“On many accessions we have seen our Lord Mayor Lukwago crying that I have no power to make any suggestions but this Bill will also harmonise Procurement Regulations for Kampala City Authority by providing the Minister responsible for KCCA or the Minister responsible for Local Governments in consultation with the Minister for Finance Planning and Economic Development to develop specific regulations for selected entities as when deemed necessary,” added Ofwono.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Whose objectives are: to provide for the Official seal of the Industrial Court, amend the composition of the Industrial Court, provide for the powers of the Industrial Court and to ensure that the terms and conditions of appointment of the Head Judge, Deputy Head Judge and other Judges of the Industrial Court are similar to those of the Judges of the High Court.