PPCC Cuddles Media, CSOs Partnership

The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) has embraced an open partnership, with the media as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) for what the Commission refers to as “credible and balanced reporting, and discussion of its workings with other Government agencies and Ministries.

At a one-day training and engagement workshop recently held in Kakata, Margibi County, PPCC sought the commitment from the Media community and CSOs in order to serve the collective interests of the public. In her presentation and subsequent remarks, Atty. Jargbe Roseline Nagbe Kowo, Executive Director of PPCC, said having healthy collaboration between or among integrity institutions, the media, and the general public breeds trust and confidence.

“We have called you here today not to seek undue favor but learn together about how we can help our country. The purpose of this gathering is for us to learn together how we can strengthen our partnership in serving our society appropriately,” Mrs. Kowo said.

She said good journalism calls for verifying and reporting facts about issues rather than being one-sided in a report. “We are interested in seeing journalists report accurately on public procurement processes and their related issues. Responsible and accountable reporting pays for not only a reporter but also the society. It helps to develop a peaceful, beautiful country,” the PPCC boss noted further.

She said in order to have accurate information about the workings of the PPCC, every journalist and every member of civil society organizations should feel free to reach out to the Commission on Capitol Hill.

“Our offices are always open and we are there to serve everyone, including you, the media. You serve us by reporting information and we are there to provide for you the right information for use by the public. Come and get to know about PPCC compliance mechanisms. Come and know about how biddings are done. Feel free and come to us,” she admonished further.

Kowo said it is the right of journalists to visit government funded projects and inquire about procurement processes, including biddings that led to the execution of said projects.

“Don’t just come to us but also reach out into the communities where roads are built and other infrastructures are under construction. Ask the people in those project areas. Take their views and also hear from those implementing those projects. It is about public money and it is the responsibility of all of us to help fight against corruption,” she further admonished.

She reported that PPCC is running its digital platforms and people are free to visit, mainly its website for information on procurement activities. “We have a website and all of the basic information can be found there. Visit www.ppcc.lr.gov.com,” Kowo concluded.

The PPCC head presented on key updates of the Commission, including its mandate, procurement entities responsibilities and the media and CSOs’ roles in public procurement.

Jeremiah Swen, head of the Civil Societies Association (CSAs), lauded the PPCC for the engagement with the media and CSOs. He, however, called on the Commission to organize annual stakeholders’ meetings aimed at checking performances and the impact on society via media reports and advocacy.

“This is a very strategic effort coming from the PPCC. The way forward is to popularize existing policies so as to ensure knowledge-based reporting,” Swen said. Also making remarks was Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL).

In his remark, Miamen said “Public procurement is an integral part of governance and that procurement is a high risk area in public service.” He noted that in order to have a better society, “We have to do much more to improve accountability and integrity in our procurement related activities.”

Journalists from media outlets in Monrovia and its environs as well as those from Kakata and other local radio stations welcomed the interaction with PPCC and expressed willingness for continuous collaboration in ensuring that credible and balanced media reports are done.