ZCZC
BSS-22
WORKSHOP-PUBLIC-PROCUREMENT
‘Citizens’ engagement improves quality of public works’
RAJSHAHI, Sept 30, 2019 (BSS)- Experts at a workshop today said citizens
engagement in public procurement has improved the quality of works and
ensured social accountability alongside creating an environment for the best
use of public money.
Involvement of citizens in public procurement would help stop the
irregularities and errors of procurement, they told a divisional level
workshop titled “How to Engage Citizens in Public Procurement Process” at
Chez Razzaque Restaurant in Rajshahi city.
Emphasis should be given on generating public awareness related to the
existing rules and regulations of procurement process so that the social
watchdogs and citizens can get scopes of involving them in the process.
Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) under Implementation, Monitoring
and Evaluation Division (IMED) of Planning Ministry hosted the workshop in
association with BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).
CPTU Director General Ali Nur and Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi
division Jakir Hossain addressed the opening session as chief and special
guests respectively with Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque in the chair.
During his keynote presentation, Dr Mirza Hassan, Team Leader of BIGD,
illustrated the aspects of citizens engagement in public procurement to
ensure social accountability.
Ali Nur underlined the need for ensuring transparency and accountability in
public procurement for the best uses of the public money together with proper
implementation of the uplift programmes.
Wide-range promotion of Government Procurement (e-GP) has become an urgent
need.
As part of its Digital Bangladesh initiative, Bangladesh considers e-
Governance to be a vital ingredient in achieving its goal.
Various issues like raising awareness about citizen engagement in public
procurement, reflection on the perception of the existing rules and
regulations and introducing the third party monitoring piloting strategy were
discussed elaborately in the workshop.
Around 70 government and non-government officials’ concerned, professional
leaders, contractors and members of the civil society took part in the
workshop.
Taking part in its group discussions, they placed a set of recommendations
on how to ensure transparency and accountability in public procurement
through citizens’ engagement.
BSS/AH/MMR/ARS/1712 hrs