A wave of fraud-related public procurement scandals has gripped
the nation in recent years. Allegations of fake tenders and false
representations by imposters have plagued the procurement cycle,
becoming a frequent feature story in the news.
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority
("PPDA") has issued several fraud alerts
warning the public about fraudulent procurement deals.
The tell-tale signs of a scandal are often unsolicited initial
contact, much-touted single-source, non-competitive bidding,
payments for various registration requirements to be done by a
recommended law firm, a high-profile reception for bidders visiting
the country, complete with armed police escorts from the airport
and a big signing event in a said to be public office. It is when
the music stops that the prospective bidder is left, several
thousands of dollars short, holding a worthless contract and
calling their erstwhile contacts who have now vanished into
