MP warns leaders on tenders
Feb 24, 2010
LOCAL leaders have been cautioned to stop involving themselves in the tendering process. Norman Muwurize, the Buikwe West MP, observed that most councillors on the finance and works committees used their positions to employ relatives and supporters, buy plots cheaply, or do business with the council
By Aidah Nanyonjo
LOCAL leaders have been cautioned to stop involving themselves in the tendering process.
Norman Muwurize, the Buikwe West MP, observed that most councillors on the finance and works committees used their positions to employ relatives and supporters, buy plots cheaply, or do business with the council.
Others, he added, use their positions to get tenders for their own companies.
Muwurize was presenting a paper on good governance in local governments at Wakiso district headquarters on Tuesday during a workshop attended by councilors and technical officers.
The MP also asked civil servants to be professional in their work to avoid clashing with politicians. He challenged district leaders to ensure that tenders were awarded to private firms that qualify.
“You should give a chance to private firms because they have specialised units with experience in delivering different works,†he said.
Muwurize added that the procurement process should be transparent and ensure the Government gets value-for-money.
“Transparency is one of the good governance practices because it eliminates theft of public funds.â€
He said the Government had lost a lot of money due to political interference in the procurement process.
“There is a tendency of giving out tenders to highest bidders at exorbitant prices instead of lowest bidders.
“In most cases council officials help accomplices in flouting the laws to get kickbacks,†the legislator said.
The workshop was organised by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
LOCAL leaders have been cautioned to stop involving themselves in the tendering process.
Norman Muwurize, the Buikwe West MP, observed that most councillors on the finance and works committees used their positions to employ relatives and supporters, buy plots cheaply, or do business with the council.
Others, he added, use their positions to get tenders for their own companies.
Muwurize was presenting a paper on good governance in local governments at Wakiso district headquarters on Tuesday during a workshop attended by councilors and technical officers.
The MP also asked civil servants to be professional in their work to avoid clashing with politicians. He challenged district leaders to ensure that tenders were awarded to private firms that qualify.
“You should give a chance to private firms because they have specialised units with experience in delivering different works,†he said.
Muwurize added that the procurement process should be transparent and ensure the Government gets value-for-money.
“Transparency is one of the good governance practices because it eliminates theft of public funds.â€
He said the Government had lost a lot of money due to political interference in the procurement process.
“There is a tendency of giving out tenders to highest bidders at exorbitant prices instead of lowest bidders.
“In most cases council officials help accomplices in flouting the laws to get kickbacks,†the legislator said.
The workshop was organised by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.