The Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) has conducted training on public tendering and procurement procedures for over 400 persons from special groups, including persons living with disabilities (PWDs), the youth and women.
The workshops are intended to help the target groups participate in applying for tenders to supply goods and services to the corporation to comply with provisions of the constitution on inclusivity.
Targeted groups from Central and North Rift region were gathered together in Nakuru where they received useful insights on the procurement process at GDC.
The GDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Johnson Ole Nchoe said the Corporation was committed to involving youth, women and persons with disabilities in its supply chain through awarding them tenders to supply goods and services.
“Through an accountable supply chain process that emphasises on transparent tendering processes and procedures, GDC will incorporate special groups that play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability and success of the Big Four agenda, which include manufacturing, affordable housing, health and food security. Electricity has been identified as a key enabler of these pillars,” said the Chief Executive Officer.
The GDC Supply Chain Officer, Justus Muhambi said the training, facilitated by procurement experts, was done in compliance with Article 227 of the constitution founded on the fair equitable, transparent and cost-effective public procurement of goods and services, and Article 55 on affirmative action, and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
“The Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme provides for women, youth and persons with disabilities to access 30% of Government Procurement opportunities. GDC has spearheaded efforts to ensure that Persons with Disability, Youth and Women who own businesses, can easily access opportunities for government tenders and contracts,” noted Muhambi.
Eng. Ole Nchoe challenged youth groups, women and people living with disabilities awarded tenders by GDC to provide quality goods and services to ensure growth and development.
He pledged that the Corporation will ensure timely payments.
The GDC Supply Chain Manager, Ms. Doris Kyaka noted that the special groups need to be equipped with skills to improve their responsiveness of their tender documents on government projects.
“The purpose of the training programme was to take the trainees through the required procedures in order to improve the responsiveness of their tender documents. We further trained them on provision of quality goods and services to ensure growth and development. They were also urged to avoid corrupt practices in tendering procedures,” said Ms Kyaka
By Jane Ngugi
