Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has recommends the state to remove the clause in the Public Finance Act that allows for projects to be awarded without tender.
ACC instructed the state to remove the clause after it carried a corruption risk research on awarding projects without tender. The research report by ACC concluded the clause allows the state to award project to a state-owned enterprise, a corporate society, an association or parties close to the state.
ACC further stated when such projects are halted, the projects are awarded to third parties without tender, resulting in significant losses to the state. The commission accused government officials of disregarding procurement acts and policies for personal gain for certain individuals.
ACC also instructed authorities to include information on Public Finance Act on awarding projects to State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). ACC said the clauses must be revised to reduce the loss borne by the state due to the policy it currently has of awarding bids without tender.
This is the second time ACC has called the state to revise the policy.