PM: Procurement Legislation coming soon
Trinidad and Tobago
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 “a little delay” in its execution.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday Dr Rowley said the delay is not intentional but rather it was an opportunity to respond to “several pitfalls” in the details. He said given the fact that the legislation remains under review, it would be very irresponsible of him and the government “to disregard what has been identified by the Chief Justice and what is also being considered by the Office of the Regulator.”
Dr Rowley previously noted that the Attorney General is presently in possession of and is reviewing a six-page commentary on the existing legislation which he received from the Chief Justice.
“So there is going to be a little delay but it is not because we want to delay it, it is because we want to respond to what has been identified as pitfalls with far-reaching consequences.”
He said as soon as the Attorney General is in a position to address those, the country will be informed as Government will move with “reasonable haste to get it put on the books.”
In a joint media release on June 25, AMCHAM T&T, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute, expressed their concern that the Act was not yet proclaimed.
The release said the group was “utterly disappointed” that the lack of “readiness” of state enterprises, over which the Government has ultimate control, may further delay the full implementation of the act.
The group also called on the Government to give a definite timeline for the act’s implementation and commit the necessary time and resources to ensure this is met.
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