The establishment of the National Procurement Commission (NPC) has been frustrated by the continuing boycott of Parliament by the PNC/R.
The Procurement Bill was tabled by Finance Minister Saisnarine Kowlessar last week and passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday.
When assented to, the Act is expected to mark a significant step forward in regularising tender board procedures, especially with its provisions for the establishment of subsidiary bodies to guarantee greater transparency.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, told reporters at his weekly press briefing on Wednesday, that the provisions of the bill will operate in conjunction with the NPC, but the body was yet to be established by Parliament. The NPC was one of the commissions agreed on during the constitution reform process.
"The refusal of the PNC to participate in normal parliamentary practices has stymied the appointment of the National Procurement Commission," he stated.
He said the bill crystallised the ruling PPP/Civic's intention to reform the financial sector and that its tabling was part of the constitutional reform process.
He noted that similar commissions have not yet been appointed and stated that what prevented the NPC's establishment was the required two-thirds support from Parliament for the proposed members of the NPC. As a result, the government and Opposition would have to support the candidature of the individuals.