Lawmakers approve new procurement regulations to curb corruption

JUBA – South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has passed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Regulations 2024, following a comprehensive review during its second reading.

The legislation, which received support after observations and corrections were made, aims to prevent malpractices and corruption within government institutions by regulating how public assets are procured and disposed of.

Changkuoth Bichiok Reath, Chairperson of the TNLA’s Finance Committee, presented a report on the regulations.

Members deliberated on the content and made several observations and recommendations to strengthen the framework for procurement.

According to the regulations, the Ministry of Finance will establish a five-member committee responsible for overseeing and ensuring accountability in the procurement and disposal processes.

The legislation mandates that all government institutions adhere strictly to these guidelines to prevent misuse of public resources.

“These regulations have tied up the hands of any government institution or commission that it will have to follow,” said Oliver Mori Benjamin, the chair of information committee and parliamentary spokesman.

“This regulation is strictly when they are purchasing or when they are disposing of certain assets, be they movable or fixed assets. It will now be done by committees or bodies which have been instituted in these regulations,” he added.

Mori further indicated that the regulations are expected to reduce corruption and hold government officials accountable for the misuse of resources for personal gain.