Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been working assiduously to build their capacity to effect the Act in accordance with the Procurement Regulations and the requirements of the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR). The OPR has been providing guidelines to assist MDAs in undertaking procurement activities. In this regard, the Public Sector Investment Programme 2024 provides further information on the execution of the new procurement system and procedures as they relate to the PSIP. This information can be accessed at: https://planning.gov.tt/sites/default/files/2024%20Public%20Sector%20 Investment%20Programme.pdf, Pages 17 to 21.

Importantly, in an effort to ease some of the procurement challenges, the OPR executed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Simplified Procurement) Regulations, 2024 of April 5, 2024. These Regulations can be accessed at: https://oprtt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Public-Procurement-and-Disposal-of-Public-Property-Simplified-Procurement-Regulations-2024.pdf.

Further, in fiscal year 2025, the Ministry of Planning and Development will continue to convene regular meetings at the Ministerial level with a view to resolving constraints for smoother and increased rates of implementation of the PSIP. Additionally, the Ministry, through the Project Planning and Reconstruction Division (PPRD), will continue to increase its engagement with MDAs to provide day-to-day guidance on project development and management of their respective PSIP allocations. The PPRD will also increase its monitoring of the projects, including sites visits, to ensure prudent financial management and the application of sound project management principles.