Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
14 May 2024 | 20:24 CAT
The 2024 ASRI FLP has crafted a comprehensive proposal for reforming public procurement, emphasizing transparency, oversight, and accountability. Image/ ASRI
In Johannesburg, a vibrant city filled with life and diversity, the busy streets mask a troubling reality: corruption in public procurement. This insidious practice depletes the City’s funds and takes away crucial services from its most vulnerable citizens. However, in a powerful display of unity, the Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute (ASRI), 2024 Future Leaders Programme (FLP) cohort and citizens have joined forces, pushing for change and standing up against corruption.
The core belief is that corruption in public procurement creates inequality, denying most citizens access to essential services such as healthcare, law enforcement, water, and electricity. In response to this, the ASRI Future Leaders cohort has put forward a comprehensive proposal for reform, which includes measures to enhance transparency, strengthen oversight, and ensure accountability at every stage of the procurement process.
The proposed by-law is a testament to the ASRI FLP cohort’s commitment to combatting corruption. They aim to instigate systemic change and ensure that public funds are used responsibly for the benefit of all citizens. The by-law’s primary objective is to strengthen oversight mechanisms, ensuring that every stage of the procurement process is meticulously scrutinized.
One important aspect of the suggested by-law is the mandate for Members of the Mayoral Committees (MMCs) to provide standing committees with all pertinent documentation and tender details every month. This routine reporting, a crucial part of the by-law, will strengthen internal supervision, making it more difficult for corruption to go unchallenged.
Empowering citizens is a cornerstone of the proposed reforms. Under the new by-law, all documentation pertaining to winning bidders will be readily accessible on the City’s website within 21 days of contract awards. This significant change enables citizens to closely monitor the procurement process and hold authorities accountable for their actions, fostering a culture of transparency and trust.
There is widespread support for the by-law, with people signing a petition asking for quick action from elected officials. Their voices resonate with a shared call for responsibility and fairness, emphasizing that every person in South Africa should feel the impact of corruption.
As the petition gains momentum, the pressure will mount on City officials to act decisively. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, and the need for immediate action is clear. Every day that passes without action is another day that corruption continues to harm our city and its citizens.
In the fight against corruption, each triumph is important. By introducing the suggested by-law, Johannesburg stands poised to reclaim its integrity and ensure a brighter future for all its citizens. This by-law has the potential to combat corruption and improve every citizen’s lives, ensuring equal access to essential services. The time for change is now, and the 2024 ASRI Future Leaders Programme cohort is leading the fight.
0 Comments