The Ministry of Finance's Procurement Policy Implementation Unit has embarked on an intensive 12-week training programme, expected to equip some 2,000 public-sector workers to operate within the Government's new procurement guidelines.

The issue of procurement - the purchasing of goods, supplies and works - within the public-sector has often been a very thorny subject.

The failure of governmental agents to operate within the established guidelines may attract accusations of nepotism and corruption. Additionally, the procurement procedure is often characterised as inefficient by agencies whose projects are delayed because of it.

The training of public-sector workers who deal with and are affiliated with the issue of procurement has been design to address these issues.

The programme, which will cost an estimated $4 million and which is being done in partnership with the Management Institute for National Development (MIND), became necessary after the implementation of new procurement procedures last year.

Jamaica to benefit

Head of the Procurement Policy Implementation Unit, Shirley Gayle Sinclair, told The Gleaner that Jamaica would benefit economically when procurement procedures are properly followed.

"If you understand the economic value of procurement, how much it is worth, then understand how much is lost to governments worldwide by poor management of the public procurement function then you will begin to see the practical impact that this can have," she said.

"Many times when we audit, we find that rules were not followed and we didn't get the best value for money out of it, and oftentimes the explanation given is that I didn't know," she said.

Deputy financial secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Robert Martin, said another major reason for the training is that the new procurement guidelines bring with them heavier sanctions that can result in criminal prosecution of those who breach guidelines.