The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority  conducted a workshop on Fundamentals for Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources on the 25th March 2024. The objective of the workshop was to capacitate BUAN Procurement Practitioners, i.e., those who are involved in Procurement work, i.e., buyers, evaluators, and buying departments.

 

Present at the workshop was Prof Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, the BUAN Vice Chancellor, who  gave welcome remarks. He said that every BUAN employee has a sacred duty to ensure that BUAN grows stronger and is expected to make daily decisions that will positively impact the financial sustainability of the university. These decisions are to be based on the oath of the procurement office and put duty above all and uphold the rule of law.

 

"The PPRA values resonate deeply with BUAN’s commitment to Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability in public procurement," he said. Consequently, he encouraged the procurement practitioners to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, not only as representatives of this institution but also as stewards of public trust. 

 

Flawed and irresponsible procurement practices pose significant challenges that can have profound negative impacts on BUAN and the nation as a whole. Some of these challenges include waste of public funds, unfair competition, diminished quality, erosion of trust, and, in general, hampers socio-economic growth.

 

He challenged them to be advocates and role models for responsible decision-making in growing BUAN as a team.