PPDA invites 20 firms to suspension hearings

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has summoned the directors of twenty companies for hearings in relation to on-going investigations by the authority into possible misconduct during the bidding process for public contracts.

The hearings are slated for Friday March 10th, 2017 at the authority's offices in Nakasero, Kampala.

"Information regarding the matters being investigated can be obtained from the PPDA offices at Plot 37 Nakasero Road UEDCL Towers, 5th floor.

Please note that failure by the directors of the above companies to come for the hearing will leave the authority with no option but to proceed with the hearing and suspension  proceedings without their defence," reads a press notice.

The companies in question are Egy Trading and Engineering Projects Ltd, Terezina Investment Ltd, Mbujaah General Contractors (U) Ltd, Waala Engineering Co. Ltd, Patsimo Logistics Ltd, Daat Company Ltd, Engineering Trade Links Ltd, Mawenzi Investments Ltd, Eddovad Civil Engineering Co.

Ltd, Majengo Construction Co. Ltd, Acamen Investment Ltd, Cerilina Investment Ltd, Experts Construction Co. Ltd, Dabs Engineering Company Ltd, Monic & Sons Ltd, Bonchard Investment Ltd, Frat Contractors Ltd, Patra Construction Uganda Ltd, Zan Construction Uganda Ltd and Green House Construction Ltd.

In November last year, the public procurement regulator blacklisted 107 firms from doing business with government due to different cases of forgeries.

PPDA took action following recommendations from different entities. After thorough investigations, the authority investigated the firms and found them in breach the Code of Ethics of Providers.

The companies were suspended for submitting various forged documents under several tenders.

The majority of these errant companies are mainly suspended for submission of fake bid securities.

In a recent interview with the New Vision, Isaac Kyaligonza, the head of public procurement at Uganda Police said firms forging different kinds of documents are a manifestation of the lack of business ethics among many providers.

"How do you forge a bank statement? By doing so, you are trying to look beautiful in the eyes of the evaluator," he says