A Launch of PAMTNAS Workshop Held
Ethiopian Civil Service University Institute of Tax and Customs Administration in collaboration with Federal Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency conducted Procurement and Asset Management Training Need Assessment Survey. The survey report was made public on a workshop held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.The workshop brought together participants from Ethiopian Civil Service University, Federal Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency, the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The objective of the need assessment survey is to identify the scope and training demand of the Public Procurement and Asset Management professionals. According to the presenters of the survey report, the survey tries to identify the number of trainees which fall under the four levels of competency i.e. Basic, Essential, Advanced and Specialized Level. The study covers Finance and Economic Development, Trade and Industry, Labor and Social Affair, Women, Children and Youth Affair, Road and Building Construction, Health and Education bureaus of Tigray, Oromiya, Gambella, SNNPS and Amhara Regional Governments and Addis Ababa City Administration.
Ato Tsegaye Abebe is Director General of the Federal Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency. According to him there has not been any academic and reliable study held in this area. So it is a great breakthrough in the effort to enhance the competence of the professionals in the area. Ato Tsegaye also said
" the government has enacted laws and regulations concerning procurement and Asset Management; however the practice shows quite the opposite "
He added some 60% of the government expenditure of annual budget is spent on purchase of goods. So unless we properly manage these goods, it will be hard to meet the government`s move to efficiently utilize the limited resources of the country. Ato Tsegaye hopes that the finding of the survey will help to identify the level of competence of the professionals in the area and design trainings accordingly. Ato Tsegaye finally said based on the recommendation of the survey the professionals will get trainings and be certified and also will pass through career structures for promotion. This is hoped to enhance their commitment to their profession, according to Ato Tsegaye.
Asked about the upcoming activities designed by the University Ato Ababu Defere,Director for Institute of Tax and Customs Administration said an action plan is prepared which lasts for three years. The need assessment survey is part of the action plan.He said
" Based on the result of the need assessment survey a training ranging from 2-5 weeks will be given for the professionals who fall under Basic, Essential and Advanced level. "
For the professionals who fall under Specialized Level the training will be organized depending on the needs of the institutions. For this purpose training modules and manuals will be prepared by the University and FPPAA jointly and by international consultant which will be hired soon as per the action plan.
Ato Ababu believed that the trainings will enhance the performance in public procurement and asset management at country level, tackle the shortage of skilled man power in the field of procurement and asset management, promote the profession by creating career structure and get salary and other benefits schemes that goes with their career and help them establish association which can play significant role in the effort to create corruption free professionals and certified public procurement and assets management professionals.