Moonilal: Repeal Procurement Act before importing vaccines

WITH oversight by the regulator removed from medical emergency services, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal has said it is important in the race to acquire covid19 vaccines that citizens sign a petition to repeal the Procurement (Amendment) Act.

Moonilal said in an interview this is imperative because one of the issues which will be devoid of scrutiny has to do with medical emergency services, which may include the procurement of covid19 vaccines.

He said at this time when there is a war over the acquisition of vaccines, and foreign-based companies are writing to the Ministry of Health to supply the drugs, it is important that there be transparency in the process.

In February the United National Congress (UNC) launched the petition, calling on Government to repeal the recently amended act which and restore the Public Procurement and Disposal of Property Act 1 of 2015 to its original form.

Moonilal said it is important for citizens to sign the petition, which can be found on line, at every constituency office and supermarkets across the country, to compel Government to repeal the act.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has denied any link between his relatives and a company called Vary Medical & Scientific Co Ltd to order vaccines from Hong Kong.

Earlier this week the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) also called on Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to say when the full proclamation of the legislation and actual operationalisation of the office of the procurement regulator would happen.