The outgoing Chief Executive, Distinguished Guest, Members of the fourth estate, members of staff, ladies and gentlemen, I feel highly elated and especially gratified to God for making it possible for us all to be part of the epoch making moment in the history of the National Public Procurement Authority. I want to particularly thank the president, His Excellency, Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio for appointing me to this position. I also want to personally thank the outgoing Chief Executive, Mr Brima Bangura for taking the National Public Procurement Authority to this level it has found itself.

My appointment to this position did not come as a surprise. It is borne out of His Excellency’s belief that I can deliver as far as the field of procurement is concerned and take the profession to a higher height. I also see my appointment as an affirmation of the president’s obligation to bring power to the youths. My success here will be a success for the youthful population of this country. If I fail, may God forbid, I would have served as an impediment to the growth of the youth. I want to take this oath and assure you that success will be my watch word through and through.

In his inaugural speech, some of the key issues emphasized by His Excellency are disciplined leadership, professionalism and service delivery. The first step to success is disciplined and I must see to it that a culture of internal discipline is instilled among members of staff of this institution. Gone are those days when people come to work as and when they like. That attitude will not be tolerated under the New Direction. If we are to breakthrough in our role as regulators, we must be able to discipline ourselves internally so that we can be taken seriously.

My leadership will ensure that procurement stays as a professional institution with the key mandate to regulate and monitor as enshrined in the Procurement Act of 2016 and its regulations 2006. For procurement to be where we want it, we have to take the leading role. As an institution, there are decisions we need to take to uplift the profession. Some of these decisions will not pleasing to some entities but such decisions will be in the interest of the country as embedded in the New Direction.

As a practicing Senior Procurement Officer over a decade now, I know where the challenges lie and with my appointment, I will ensure that these challenges are addressed. With my leadership, we will ensure a high level of transparency and accountability surrounding all procurement activities, and all driving towards the basis pillars of the New Direction. I am here with open hands and ready to work with everyone irrespective of our tribes, religions, or political orientations as long as you abide by the ethics of the institution. As a regulatory institution, this country relies greatly on the NPPA in ensuring that there is value for money in all procurement activities.

At this juncture, I want to assure you of meeting the following benchmarks during my tenure:

1. TO TABLE ANNAUL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT PROCUREMENT REPORT AT THE WELL OF PARLIAMENT
I shall ensure that we meet the constitutional provision which stipulates that the National Public Procurement Authority tables in Parliament its annual performance evaluation report for all MDAs in the country.

2. IMPROVEMENT OF COMPLIANCE TO THE REQUIREMENT OF THE LEGAL AND REGUALTORY FRAME WORK
We shall update the procurement manual to reflect the changes in the Act and Regulations ensure clarity of the procurement process and incorporate best practice approaches that take into consideration value for money, accountability and transparency.
We shall develop compliance and performance monitoring system to improve a monitoring manual and risk based approaches to monitoring, including rating for all procuring entities according to their level of compliance and performance.
We shall conduct regular reviews and audit of procurement activities across procuring entities and publish the findings of reviews and audit to foster accountability and transparency.
3. SUPPORTING THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF PROCUREMENT PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC SECTOR
We shall work with the Ministry of Finance and the Human Resource Management Office to ensure the transfer of the management of the cadre to the ministry in recognition that the profession is specialized one

Support the operationalization of the Public Procurement Directorates in the Ministry through advocacy to ensure it can effectively manage the procurement cadre.
WE shall create a whistle blowing system as an anticorruption and compliance tool.

Finally, we shall create a code of ethics for procurement professionals and support the establishment of a professional association.
Once again, I thank you all for leaving your busy schedules to honor this occasion. Happy Eid-ul Fitir to you all.