The Ghana Consulting Engineers Association (GCEA) has expressed its displeasure at the increasing rate of sole-sourcing, appealing to government to make procurement processes competitive and fair.
According to the association, the practice of sole-sourcing has reduced competition among local consultants while it denies local companies an opportunity to secure projects which could be executed by local firms.
Speaking to Citi Business News after his inauguration, the President of the Ghana Consulting Engineers Association, Ing. Albert Ogyiri maintained that sole-sourcing does not only inhibit competition but also denies local companies the ability to expand their operations.
“When you do sole-sourcing it is only to be done as an exception depending on the circumstances, and the circumstances must justify the need for the sole-sourcing,” he said.
He stated that sole-sourcing of projects can only arise during emergencies or in a specialist area that require a particular service.
“That is our position. Sole-sourcing can only be done when we cannot go through the entire procedure during emergencies or when we require a specialist service,” he advised.
Ing. Ogyiri stated that the practice has reduced competition and fairness in the procurement system, resulting in sub-standard delivery.
Ing. Ogyiri called on government to appreciate the pivotal role played by local consulting engineers in national development to fully utilize their competences and capabilities.
He lamented the over reliance on foreign consulting engineers, which he said does not only result in huge capital expenditure but also creates jobs for other economies at the expense of Ghanaians.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana