Tshipidi Project to ease PPADB processes

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Wednesday December 15, 2010 00:00

 

 

According to PPADB Information Technology expert, Moji Bale, IPMS is a web-based system that enables working through the Internet and end-to-end automation of PPADB processes and functions.Bale told the businesspeople and contractors attending the workshop that having to go through piles and piles of files when applying for tenders could be avoided.

'What you need to do is just to go into this web and download specifically what you need and save time,' he said. He pointed out that it is costly and time-consuming for those based in Francistown, Maun, for instance, to travel to Gaborone to get forms or check at the stage of their application. However, with IPMS, applicants can browse the web to track the progress of their applications.

Bale said the significance of technology in today's world is that almost all the departments use it. 'This is going to be an interactive system,' he explained. 'It is easy to use; it has the help button that enables access to all the services from our organisation.' Bale encouraged people in the business sector to upgrade their computer literacy because to use the IPMS system, they will have to be computer literate, have Internet-mail accounts and have the ability to download forms.Bale said that there are many benefits that come with IPMS, among them, a shorter contractor registration cycle, which currently takes approximately six months. IPMS could cut this by half. It also enables interface with other government departments like the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to avoid the obstacle of an outstanding tax debt, for instance.

'This system is also designed in such a way that if our officers do not assess applications within a stipulated time, it will automatically signal a report to their supervisor who will in turn take appropriate steps,' said Bale.

'The applicant may also see this online because the records are transparent and report to the relevant authorities.' However, Bale said they were unable to complete e-bidding for submitting bids online. He explained that they are waiting for the Department of Information Technology (DIT) to finalise a technical process that allows sending online. 'It was decided to be named the Tshipidi Project,' Bale said.

'The project will be officially launched in March next year.'