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Ethiopia : PUBLIC PROCUREMENT process needs strong reforms
Publish Date : 27-Jan-2015
It has been more than 4 years since the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi made his popular speech on the synergy between what he called as 'government thieves' and 'private thieves'. Meles said the symbiotic ties between the two groups are so flexible, that it can endure the frequent changes in the regulatory regime. According to Meles' speech, there are three key where administrative malpractice, rent seeking and corruption are widespread, including public procurement. Land administration and customs were cited as the other two.
This argument has become common within the circles of the ruling Revolutionary Democrats, since Meles mentioned it first. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Meles' chosen successor, was also heard using this same line in many of his parliamentary appearances and meeting that involved the business community. There is little dispute about the analysis. The line marks a rare admission by the EPRDFites that their very bureaucracy is filled with opportunism, after all.
What is contentious is the government's pledge to take solid action to resolve the issue. The Public procurement process, by nature, involves various stakeholders and calls for strong reforms. State agencies at the different tiers would be required to communicate and cooperate to effect a given procurement under this system.
