admin
Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
THE Government has directed local authorities to draft investment prospectuses to promote transparency in the awarding of tenders to potential investors interested in doing business with councils.
According to the latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) minutes, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has noted an increasing number of local and foreign companies interested in doing business with councils mainly in areas of infrastructural development and service delivery including Private-Public Partnership and joint ventures.
BCC indicated that the Government has recommended that each council should have a prospectus detailing all development, service delivery and partnership opportunities.
“When an interest is shown in any area, the council would then advertise the opportunity which would be open to every bidder.
“Interpretation of this circular rests with the Permanent Secretary, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing,” said the Local Government Ministry.
In compliance with the Government’s directive, BCC said its economic development unit had collated investment opportunities into a prospectus.
“Additional projects would be added as and when they are identified. The prospectus will also be found on the city council’s website,” the council said.
The State Procurement Board has directed that all major projects should be awarded through a properly advertised and adjudicated tender procedure, regardless of which company “discovers” the project or opportunity.
In this light, the Government has said it would not be able to facilitate the regularisation of deals struck by local authorities that are outside the formal tender process and any contract entered into on the basis of an unsolicited bid will be deemed unprocedural and will be dealt with accordingly.
@okazunga
Online Reporter