By Gattuor Kier
The Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Marial, officially signed the operationalization of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets regulation on Thursday, October 17, 2024 .
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Specialized Committee of TNLA, members of the Public Procurement and Disposal Authority (PPDA), and senior staff from the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
This regulation is crucial for managing, regulating, and controlling the procurement and disposal of government assets such as vehicles, food supplies, and other public property. It aims to promote efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in public procurement processes across South Sudan.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized that this legal framework is a vital part of the country’s ongoing economic reforms. He highlighted the importance of public awareness, urging the PPDA and the Ministry of Finance to ensure the dissemination of information about the regulation to the general public.
Minister’s Statement
“The legal framework for the operationalization of public procurement and disposal of assets in the Republic of South Sudan is now in place. We expect the PPDA team, the Ministry of Finance, and the entire government to create public awareness about these processes, ensuring we are guided by the regulations. The people of South Sudan expect their resources to be spent transparently, and no wastage will be tolerated.”
In closing, Dr. Marial announced that the government has released salaries, although he did not specify how many months’ salaries were issued. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensure the regular monthly payment of salaries.
The World Bank’s Acting Country Manager, Mr. Juvenal Nzambimana, and the African Development Bank’s Country Manager, Mr. Themba, commended the South Sudanese government for enacting the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets regulations into law.
World Bank’s Statement
“This is a significant milestone in addressing the previous gaps in public procurement, which were hindered by the absence of regulations governing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority.”
