PROCUREMENT REGULATOR FACES THE AXE

THE days of Procurement Regulator Moonilal Lalchan are numbered. 

The Government is running down the clock to have Lalchan replaced at the end of his contract, in two years’ time. 

Well-placed government sources confirmed that a new regulator would be named and the relevant legislation would be fully proclaimed and implemented. 

This is expected to take place ahead of the 2025 general election. 

Enactment of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property law was a 2015 general election manifesto promise of the People’s National Movement (PNM).  

Trinidad and Tobago’s top business organisations have joined others in civil society in voicing concern over the Government’s tardiness in putting the important legislation into effect. 

The business bodies this week said the legislation could be implemented before the presentation of the 2023 Budget. 

The law is important in attracting investor confidence, the business organisations said. 

They added that it would show the Government’s commitment to accountability and transparency. 

Critics have slammed the Government’s inaction while multi-million-dollar State contracts are being issued. 

Lalchan complained last year that most State enterprises had not put their house in order, as mandated by procurement regulations. 

The business groups are demanding that the law be implemented as a national priority.