By Grace Q. Bryant
The Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) boss, Bodgar Scott-Johnson, has disclosed the readiness of Commission to formally launch the country’s first-ever Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System as part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing on Tuesday, February 4, Director Johnson emphasized that the launch ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 6, at 10:00 AM in Monrovia.
According to him, President Joseph Boakai will deliver the keynote address and officially mandate the adoption of the new system.
The event will also feature a live demonstration of the e-GP system, showcasing its capabilities in front of President Boakai, government officials, and key stakeholders.
He noted that the e-GP system has undergone extensive development, testing, and a successful pilot phase across six public sector institutions.
“This year, an additional 50 government agencies will be integrated into the system, marking a significant milestone toward restoring confidence in public procurement and ensuring value for money,” he said.
He further explained that by automating procurement processes, the e-GP system will reduce human intervention, minimize corruption risks, and create a more competitive and fair marketplace for vendors and businesses seeking government contracts.
He said that the new platform is fully integrated with Liberia’s revenue tax payment portal, operated by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation’s (NASSCORP) online platform.
“Additional integration are expected later this year with the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), the Liberia Business Registry, and other key payment gateways. These efforts aim to streamline procurement, improve compliance, and enhance national development initiatives,” he said.
According to him, PPCC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with Liberia’s procurement laws.
The law mandates that 100% of Small Business Administration (SBA) procurement plans be reserved exclusively for Liberian-owned businesses, with 5% specifically allocated to women-owned businesses.
“However, concerns have been raised about compliance, prompting PPCC to work closely with the Ministry of Justice, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and other regulatory bodies to enforce these requirements,” he added.
PPCC has also enhanced monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all government entities comply with procurement regulations. Ministries and agencies are required to submit quarterly procurement reports, which are critical for accountability and ensuring that public funds are spent correctly.
He disclosed that as part of the system’s second phase, PPCC plans to expand access to county-level government institutions.
“Many procurement officers in remote areas previously had to travel long distances to submit procurement documents. With e-GP, county administrations will now be able to upload and manage procurement plans online, reducing delays and administrative burdens,” he said.
He explained, “To support the rollout, PPCC has provided participating entities with ICT tools, including computers, scanners, and printers, ensuring they have the necessary resources to effectively use the system.”
He revealed that during a recent procurement session, one bidder missed the submission deadline by mere minutes and was automatically locked out of the process.
PPCC emphasized that strict adherence to procurement deadlines is essential for maintaining transparency and fairness.
“With 85% of corruption cases in government linked to procurement, the launch of the e-GP system is seen as a critical step in eliminating loopholes and fostering good governance. PPCC has worked closely with the World Bank and other development partners, who have commended Liberia’s progress in reforming its procurement system,”
PPCC remains committed to monitoring and enforcing compliance, ensuring that public procurement processes are fair, transparent, and beneficial to Liberia’s economic growth.
The launch of Liberia’s Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize public financial management, reduce corruption, and promote economic growth.
PPCC is calling on all stakeholders, including government institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations, to actively engage in this new era of digital procurement.
The success of the e-GP system will depend on collective efforts to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in public procurement.