Briceño Convenes Special Cabinet Meeting on Procurement Amid Heightened Scrutiny

Prime Minister John Briceño convened the full Cabinet and chief executive officers for a special meeting on public procurement this week as the government continues to face scrutiny over procurement practices involving the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence.

The session was designed to review procurement best practices, legislative requirements and recurring weaknesses identified through government audits.

The meeting featured presentations from the Financial Secretary, Contractor General and Auditor General, who outlined the fiscal importance of sound procurement, common procurement irregularities, value-for-money principles and recurring audit findings that point to weaknesses in internal controls across government entities.

The discussions focused on the Finance and Audit Reform Act (FARA), the Stores Orders and related regulations, with participants examining ways to improve compliance, streamline approval processes and reduce bureaucratic delays that can contribute to cost overruns or procedural breaches.

Among the immediate outcomes, Prime Minister Briceño directed the Ministries of Finance and Public Service to work with the Offices of the Contractor General and Auditor General to develop a mandatory, continuous professional development programme on procurement procedures for ministers, chief executive officers, financial officers and senior procurement personnel.

Cabinet also agreed to establish a technical working group to review the country's procurement legislation and r e commend amendments designed to strengthen the legal framework against procurement malpractice.

The Prime Minister's Office also indicated that similar high-level oversight sessions will continue across the public service to promote stronger decision making, continuous institutional improvement and more effective public service delivery.