Amendments to parts ofthe Public Financial Management Act were passed by voice in parliament yesterday.
The amendments will ensurethe procurement of goods and services flow faster and more effectively.
Planning Minister and Member for Alotau Charles Abel saidthe amendments were part ofthe government’s effort to deliver its 2013 deficit budget.
Minister Abel highlightedthe government procurement process. Procurements below K5000 should be supported by three verbal quotations but must also be registered.
Abover K500 thousand will require written quotations and go through etherthe Provincial Supply Tenders Beard orthe central body ofthe same.
Shadow Minister for Finance, Joseph Lelang also contributed tothe debate.
He called for the minister to look beyondthe current procurement process and to establish a District Supply Tenders Beard with Works Units in each ofthe eighty nine districts to complimentthe amendments.
Veteran politician and Governor for New Ireland Sir Julius Chan toldthe house, for these changes to be effective;the public service machinery needs a major overhaul.
He saysthe government’should now put tighter laws to deal with public servants who aren’t performing andthe Public Service Commission not to interfere.
The Bell to amendthe Public Finance Management Act wasthen passed bythe voice.
Ruth Rungula, National EMTV News
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