Last-minute objections to ‘tender bill’ should have been raised earlier, says NCOP
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the DA raised last-minute objections just as the NCOP tried to finalise amendments to the key legislation.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN – The National Council of Province’s (NCOP) select committee on finance has raised concerns that a government department has objected to the Public Procurement Bill so late in the process.
The committee considered its draft report on the bill on Tuesday night, which is aimed at reforming the country’s tendering system.
But the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) raised last-minute objections just as the NCOP tried to finalise amendments to the key legislation.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also objected to the bill, saying its preferential treatment was race based.
The Public Procurement Bill’s main objective is to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing public tender processes and practices.
It would create uniformity under the National Treasury, and also establish a dedicated Public Procurement Office within National Treasury.
But not everyone is happy with some provisions, including some government departments.
Committee chairperson Yunus Carrim said they would be writing a letter to the DTIC.
“The committee expresses its serious concern that the DTIC has this issue with the bill and has come to us at the last stage.”
Carrim said the differences on the bill should have been settled in Cabinet between Treasury and DTI minister Ebrahim Patel.
“We recommend that National Treasury meet with DTIC as soon as possible.
The committee adopted its draft report on the bill, which will go to the National Assembly for further processing.