The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has announced plans to draft a Bill aimed at strengthening governance in government procurement. The Government Procurement Bill is intended to increase accountability among those involved in government procurement and address leakages in national revenue. This decision was made during a special Cabinet Committee on National Governance meeting.
The PMO stated that the proposed Government Procurement Bill would enhance governance through legal means. It emphasized the importance of integrity and the need to incorporate a mechanism to address complaints and objections in line with international standards.
The meeting also discussed the drafting of a Freedom of Information Act, which would establish clear parameters and guidelines for public access to information from government and public bodies. In order to facilitate public service delivery and encourage public participation in policy formulation, the Official Secrets Act 1972 would also be amended accordingly.
The PMO acknowledged the 18 resolutions from two National Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Research Conferences. These resolutions, which consisted of legal and policy recommendations, will serve as input in developing the new National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
Furthermore, to ensure that subsidiaries under statutory bodies adhere to good governance principles, the meeting agreed to prioritize supervision aspects. The existing and new legal frameworks would be examined to ensure good governance in entities where the government has an interest.
The PMO affirmed its commitment to implementing measures that strengthen good governance to support national development.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
