The Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima says there is need to adhere to professionalism in operating rules and guidelines of procurement as it constitute to over 70% of the national budget.
The Vice President made the remarks in Lilongwe at the launch of Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply Act- MIPS.
Dr Chilima said government or companies use more of its funds in procurement of goods and services therefore any mis-procurement will have a huge impact on development process.
The new act was passed in parliament in November last year to provide for the establishment of the Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply, the registration of procurement and supply chain management professionals and regulation of the profession in the country.
The Vice President says this is a milestone for economic development in the country saying professional procurement saves resources.
Dr Chilima however urged those entrusted with this task to follow the rules and regulations.
“It is one thing to have a piece of legislation in place but it is yet another to fully enforce its implementation in order to achieve its aims and objectives. This means that the leadership and members of the institute have a role to play to ensure smooth execution of the act,” said Chilima.
The Vice President further indicated that government has a duty also to provide all necessary support for the institute to operate without political interference.
“Political interference, we also talk about reverse political interference which is where those of you who are professionals will now try to frustrate efforts by the government because you belong to a different party, we will not tolerate that,” warned Dr. Chilima.
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe said the ministry is working on more legislation to govern the procurement system in the country.
Gondwe said it is embarrassing for the country to be associated with corruption as was the case with cashgate. He urges all Malawians and procurement professionals to assume a mindset that public funds are not personal and avoid corruption and fraud.
Speaking earlier president of MIPS Edington Chilapondwa, said unregulated procurement systems have a direct bearing on infrastructure development saying Malawi has taken a step forward.
Chilapondwa said it’s the wish of his body to see other regulations in the procurement chain supply management discussed and passed in parliament to support this one.
World Bank and African Development Bank (ADB) have been funding activities to help in shaping laws in supply chain management in the country.
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