Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) says the value for money principle introduced last year is bearing fruit as it has seen millions of dollars being saved and some unscrupulous contractors being disqualified from supplying the government and its departments.
Following arbitrage and unscrupulous behaviour by some suppliers and contractors, Government through the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) introduced value for money measures to curtail such behaviour and save millions of dollars.
The measures are bearing fruit as confirmed by PRAZ.
” We are seeing some sanity in that regard, although some companies resisted initially. We still need to keep our eye on some of them, we still have some who are wayward we’ve been trying to repent. The treasury has also pledged to pay contractors and suppliers on time, which also helps. Millions have been saved since the introduction of this measure. A full report will be shared soon on actual figures.
” Some of the contractors and suppliers are also aware of the consequences of not following the value for money principle which include being debarred and others, so it also helping,” said Mr Clever Ruswa, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, Chief Executive Officer.
Contractors say this move will ensure that the country has world class infrastructure.
“It helps us to have more contracts coming out showing the government that we are capable of doing the projects that they are supposed to give us and we are doing the projects and being able to finish them on time, on schedule and on quality. Value for money concept will also enable the government budget to meet expected outcomes. If we are to build thirty five buildings by year end it has to be such, this will only happen because of the value for money principle. Other benefits for value for money are; we will have more projects, there will be continuity by the government and the people in the country to be served are also going to enjoy the benefits of both the contractor and the government,” noted Dr Tinashe Manzungu, Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association, Senior Vice President.
The value for money principle was introduced to weed out fly by night suppliers and contractors.