{"id":23562,"date":"2022-08-18T22:49:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T03:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=23562"},"modified":"2022-08-18T17:54:59","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T22:54:59","slug":"disappointed-in-pms-procurement-stance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/disappointed-in-pms-procurement-stance\/","title":{"rendered":"Disappointed in PM\u2019s procurement stance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trinidad and Tobago<\/p>\n

The Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) is heartened that the prime minister has broken his long and loud silence on procurement legislation, as reported in Tuesday\u2019s Express.<\/p>\n

The JCC, and no doubt the rest of the public, is very confused, however, by Dr Rowley\u2019s claim that he is disappointed in the delays, when he is the one ultimately responsible for the action that was, and still is, required by his Government to prepare the various Government agencies that spend public money.<\/p>\n

Is Dr Rowley still surprised when only 70 public bodies of 415 have responded to the Office of the Procurement Regulator\u2019s (OPR) Readiness Assessment carried out early in 2021 and reported to the Public Accounts Committee on January 11, 2022?<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Can Dr Rowley explain why after seven years in the making he has not driven the process (that he is so passionate about) by leaning on his ministers to ensure that compliance with the legislation takes place at all levels of the ministries?<\/p>\n

Instead, the prime minister has come crying to the public after all this time that \u201cevery time we attempt to proclaim these law elements, I should say that interested parties will point out pitfalls\u201d. And he then goes on to state the obvious: \u201cthere always seems to be some problem because this is a very far-reaching piece of legislation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Of course, it is \u201cfar-reaching\u201d, Mr Prime Minister. Hence the clarion call for procurement reform going on for 20 years now in a country that continues to drop in the Corruption Perceptions Index, as \u00adreported by Transparency International.<\/p>\n

Dr Rowley\u2019s true feelings about this legislation became clear when he stated \u201cit has the potential to assist in corruption\u201d.<\/p>\n

He needs to clarify for the public what he means by this, as this bill was debated in both Houses of Parliament and passed after three sets of amendments. Now our PM does not believe that it is a \u201cpanacea for all things \u00adcorrupt\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The JCC is not aware of any persons or entities in this country who have articulated this latter view. Dr Rowley should clarify who are these \u201csome people\u201d to whom he has been quoted as casually referring.<\/p>\n

The citizens of T&T have waited long enough for independent scrutiny of inefficient and corrupt public spending. In the current scenario, the Regulator has absolutely no power to act in the interest of the public, to investigate any ongoing or new procurement issue, while the various State agencies continue to squander public funds with sheltered impunity. The public, therefore, expects the PM to provide, instead, deadlines to his ministers and transparently report these deadlines to the public. We are simply fed up with obfuscation and excuses.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Our prime minister has been in a unique position for the last seven years to operationalise truly ground-breaking legislation that will catalyse a change in behaviour around public money\u2014and this change will take many years, if not decades.<\/p>\n

This process of societal change cannot start unless the law is operationalised. The effects of a less corrupt country will eventually benefit citizens directly, in terms of a reduction in the annual estimated loss to corruption of over $5 billion, and an increased value for money on public projects.<\/p>\n

There is a more important positive impact, in terms of the potential to address white-collar crime that is surreptitiously connected to many other crimes. It is one of the best batons that we can pass to our children in these trying times. There is a Greek proverb that says, \u201cA society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in\u201d.<\/p>\n

The JCC again calls on the prime minister to please provide a deadline to his subordinates and operationalise the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act before the next budget is read.<\/p>\n

more<\/a><\/p>\n

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Image: pexels-mat-brown<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Trinidad and Tobago The Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) is heartened that the prime minister has broken his long and loud silence on procurement legislation, as reported…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":23563,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[250],"tags":[157,71,125,137],"class_list":["post-23562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-articles","tag-anti-corruption","tag-procurement","tag-public-procurement","tag-trinidad-and-tobago"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-mat-brown-1034065-scaled-e1660863127686.jpg?fit=1024%2C575&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-682","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23849,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/jcc-slams-ag-on-procurement-legislation\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":0},"title":"JCC slams AG on procurement legislation","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago \u00a0 The Joint Consultative Council (JCC) for the construction industry is accusing the Attorney General of creating a ruse to delay the procurement legislation. In a press release on Tuesday, the JCC said it was \u201csounding the alarm\u201d that statements made by AG Reginald Armour about depending\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/lady-justice-Jessica45-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24588,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/still-no-procurement-reform\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":1},"title":"Still no procurement reform","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"October 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago The JCC was invited to attend the Spotlight on the Economy forum hosted by the Ministry of Finance on September 2. All present were informed that the 2022\/2023 budget was going to be read by the minister on September 26 and that the country could expect it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-pixabay-53621-scaled-e1665685096444.jpg?fit=1024%2C603&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-pixabay-53621-scaled-e1665685096444.jpg?fit=1024%2C603&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-pixabay-53621-scaled-e1665685096444.jpg?fit=1024%2C603&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-pixabay-53621-scaled-e1665685096444.jpg?fit=1024%2C603&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23838,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-boss-admits-hurdles-in-way-of-new-legislation\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":2},"title":"Procurement boss admits hurdles in way of new legislation","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago \u00a0 Chester Sambrano Procurement Regulation chairman Moonilal Lalchan says despite the readiness of his office for the full proclamation and implementation of the Parliament\u2013approved procurement legislation, there remain some hurdles to cross. Althoughs the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, 2015 was assented to on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Legislation-gavel-sign-Alpha-Stock-Images-The-Blue-Diamond-Gallery.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Legislation-gavel-sign-Alpha-Stock-Images-The-Blue-Diamond-Gallery.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Legislation-gavel-sign-Alpha-Stock-Images-The-Blue-Diamond-Gallery.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Legislation-gavel-sign-Alpha-Stock-Images-The-Blue-Diamond-Gallery.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24136,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pm-procurement-legislation-coming-soon\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":3},"title":"PM: Procurement Legislation coming soon","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago \u00a0 Despite the recent call by several stakeholders for the proclamation and implementation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says there is going to be \u201ca little delay\u201d in its execution. Speaking at a press conference on Monday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-towfiqu-barbhuiya-8693379-scaled-e1663282901744.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-towfiqu-barbhuiya-8693379-scaled-e1663282901744.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-towfiqu-barbhuiya-8693379-scaled-e1663282901744.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-towfiqu-barbhuiya-8693379-scaled-e1663282901744.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":36211,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/regulator-yet-to-receive-complaints-on-hdcs-santa-rosa-project-tender\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":4},"title":"Regulator yet to receive complaints on HDC’s Santa Rosa project tender","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago Despite several contractors vowing to challenge the intention of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to award a contract to Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), none have done so. On July 31, the HDC informed the eight other contractors who bid to construct the $475.8 million\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-cristian-rojas-8853536-1-scaled-e1723773146795.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-cristian-rojas-8853536-1-scaled-e1723773146795.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-cristian-rojas-8853536-1-scaled-e1723773146795.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pexels-cristian-rojas-8853536-1-scaled-e1723773146795.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22955,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-issues-with-refinery-sale\/","url_meta":{"origin":23562,"position":5},"title":"Procurement issues with refinery sale","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago The Joint Council for the Construction Industry (JCC) is alarmed but not surprised by statements attibuted to the Finance Minister, as reported in the media on May 31, that \"the current procurement process being carried out by TPHL for the sale or lease of the refinery has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5662862-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5662862-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5662862-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5662862-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5662862-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C674&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23562"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23661,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23562\/revisions\/23661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}