Public Procurement Commission Hosts Inaugural Training Seminar on Contract Management in Collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank

Public Procurement Commission Hosts Inaugural Training Seminar on Contract Management in Collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank

Georgetown, Guyana – June 27, 2025 — The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) successfully hosted its inaugural One-Day National Training Seminar on Contract Management for procuring entities on June 24, 2025, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Railway Line, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

This hybrid training session, held both in-person and virtually, recorded a total attendance of 140 participants drawn from various public procuring entities across Guyana. The training specifically targeted public officers responsible for executing government contracts, including Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Engineers.

The seminar, the first of its kind hosted by the PPC, focused on contract management, the final and crucial phase of the procurement cycle. It aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to successfully implement and monitor contracts ensuring projects are completed efficiently and aligned with procurement goals.

Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Pauline Chase, Chairperson of the Public Procurement Commission, and Mr. Ivan A. Gaviria, Chief of Operations of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Both speakers emphasized the importance of robust contract execution in achieving value for money and delivering public goods and services effectively.

A highlight of the training was a presentation on International Best Practices in Contract Management by Mrs. Carolina Lopez, Fiduciary Procurement Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She provided valuable insights into the IDB’s procurement best practices, compliance standards, and practical strategies for strengthening contract execution in line with international benchmarks.

Participants also benefited from a range of sessions, including:

• Overview of The PPC and the Legislative Procurement Framework – Ms. Esther Osborne, Attorney-at-Law
• Managing Contracts – Mr. Antonio Yhan, Training Officer, PPC
• Essential Components of a Contract & Legal Elements – Ms. Bibi Shabena Ali, Head of Legal and Compliance, PPC
• Project Execution, Monitoring, and Reporting – Mr. Savion Paddy, Civil Engineer, PPC
• Debarment Procedure – Ms. Bibi Shabena Ali, Head of Legal and Compliance, PPC

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is mandated by Article 212AA(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and further empowered by Section 17(2) of the Procurement Act, to organize training seminars for suppliers, contractors, and public bodies. These trainings aim to promote awareness of the rules, procedures, and specific requirements of the procurement process. As one of the Commission’s core constitutional functions, training is essential because one must know what to do  in order to do it effectively. This seminar was therefore designed to equip key personnel with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective contract execution, ultimately building capacity within the public procurement system. The session was structured in a practical, hands-on manner, which included case studies, enabling officers to understand and apply relevant contract clauses to keep project implementation on track, thereby ensuring value for money, which remains the foundation of public procurement.

Training is a core function of the Commission, grounded in the principle that stakeholders must understand procurement rules to apply them effectively. The practical structure of the seminar was intended to help officers identify and maximize contract clauses to ensure proper execution, ultimately reinforcing value for money as the foundation of public procurement.

This inaugural contract management training seminar marks the beginning of a broader initiative by the PPC to continuously strengthen capacity and professionalize procurement practices in the public sector.

27 June 2025

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