There are plans to import essential supplies on credit basis outside the tender procedure, say sources at the National Audit Office.
The excuse given is that medicines, oil, coal etc. cannot be procured by making prompt payments due to the financial crisis.
A concessionary payment period of up to four months is expected for the purchases.
The sources say fraud, corruption and irregularities will be much higher if the procurement procedure is not followed, since malpractices are rampant even within that process.
A case in point is the purchase of coal, note the sources, adding the proper procedure should be followed irrespective of the state of the economy.
(Divaina)
