By Jessica Cox
MONROVIA, The Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) on Tuesday handed over Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to 50 Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs), marking another significant step in Liberia’s drive to modernize public procurement through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System.
The handover, held at the PPCC headquarters in Monrovia, forms part of the Commission’s Change Management Mechanism aimed at preparing government institutions for a complete transition from manual procurement processes to a digital platform that promotes transparency, accountability and efficiency.
Delivering the keynote address, PPCC Chief Executive Officer Hon. Bodger Scott Johnson said the initiative demonstrates the Government of Liberia’s commitment to strengthening public sector governance through technology.
Johnson explained that the e-GP System enables government institutions to plan procurements, advertise bids, evaluate submissions, award contracts and manage procurement activities electronically, reducing paperwork while improving accountability and value for money.
“This is not merely an investment in technology; it is an investment in institutional transformation, improved service delivery and enhanced public trust in government procurement,” he said.
He disclosed that the Commission has expanded the e-GP programme from an initial six pilot institutions to 50 additional ministries, agencies and commissions under the second phase of implementation.
According to Johnson, nearly 1,600 vendors have already enrolled on the platform, while the Commission operates an e-GP Clinic every Monday and Thursday to provide continuous training and technical support to suppliers using the system.
The PPCC boss also revealed that the electronic procurement platform has generated approximately US$400,000 in revenue for government through vendor registration and platform usage fees.
He further announced that a delegation from Serbia is expected in Liberia later this week on a study tour to observe the country’s electronic procurement system, which he described as one of the region’s emerging success stories in digital governance.
Earlier, Director of Administration Himmie E. Langford welcomed participants and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that beneficiary institutions are equipped with the tools needed to successfully implement the digital procurement system.
Providing an overview of the ICT Support Initiative, Director of Communication Nathan N. Bengu said the equipment distribution is an essential component of the e-GP implementation strategy, helping institutions build the technological capacity required for effective participation in the electronic procurement platform.
Representatives of several beneficiary institutions, including the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, and the Civil Service Agency (CSA), welcomed the initiative and praised the PPCC for advancing digital reforms across government.
The institutions expressed appreciation for the ICT support, describing it as timely and essential for improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in procurement operations.
During the programme, officials also recognized these institution including Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) as one of the Commission’s best-performing institutions under the e-GP initiative, despite (LWSC) absence from the ceremony.
The ICT equipment is expected to improve procurement planning, contract management, reporting and oversight while reducing administrative delays and limiting opportunities for fraud and corruption within the public procurement system.
The PPCC urged all beneficiary institutions to properly maintain the equipment and ensure that it is used exclusively to strengthen procurement operations as Liberia continues the nationwide rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement System.
The handover ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of ICT equipment to representatives of the 50 beneficiary ministries, agencies and commissions, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building a more transparent, efficient and technology-driven public procurement system.
