ZPPA concerned with low use of e-GP

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has noted with great concern the low usage of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System by most procuring entities (PEs) that have been trained and added to the e-GP system.

In a statement obtained by Q-News, ZPPA Director General Idah Chella says section 16(1) of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020, provides for mandatory usage of the e-GP System by all procuring entities for procurement activities.

In a circular issued to all Permanent Secretaries and controlling officers, Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and statutory bodies, all Town Clerks and Council Secretaries of local authorities, Mrs Chella says the transitional period of three (3) years contained in section 113 (7) of the Act only applies to Procurement Entities that are unable to use the e-GP System.

She notes that all procuring entities that have met the requirements for usage of the e-GP System and have been trained and added to the e-GP System, are required to conduct their procurement processes on the System. 

Mrs Chella, however, observes that while most Procurement Entities have been trained and added to the e-GP System, they have not been utilizing the system in their procurement activities contrary to section 16 of the Public Procurement Act.

The ZPPA Director General says failure to comply with any of the requirements of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020 is an offence in line with section 105 (2) (g) and that any person convicted of an offence under the said section is liable to the applicable administrative and legal sanctions.

The e-GP system is the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the procurement of goods, works, and consultancy and non-consultancy services in the public sector.

The aim of the e-GP system is to provide an electronic public procurement platform supporting end to end procurement processes and good governance in financial expenditure in public procurement.