Joint select committee to examine procurement bill

The government of Trinidad and Tobago will move a motion in Parliament on Friday to set up a Joint select Committee to consider the Public Procurement Bill.

The proposed legislation will replace the Central Tenders Board Act.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar promised the measure as one of her priorities during the general election campaign to guarantee a greater degree of transparency in government operations.

The procurement proposal was first advanced during the Panday UNC administration and Persad-Bissessar had promised that once the People's Partnership won the election she would bring back the bill.

The bill was originally paid in Parliament on June 25.

The role of the Joint Select committee will be to:

• examine the Legislative Proposals
• consult with stake holders and interested persons
• send for papers, records and other documents
• recommend amendments to the proposals with a view to improving the drafts

It will have three months from the date of appointment to submit is report to Parliament.