The ECPC on May 31st 2025 held a multi-stakeholder planning meeting for the final review of the Contract Procurement Bill. The meeting, chaired by the justice of the Supreme Court, took place at the Conference Room of the Registrar General Department of Benin Republic, Cotonou.
The Review Committee comprises representatives of the ECPC Project Committee, the Office of the Chief Registrar General of Benin Republic, the Police Complaints Board, the Benin Anti Fraud Unit (BAFU Benin) and civil society organizations, including the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law and AdvocAid.
In his brief statement, the Coordinator of the ECPC, Mr. Boko A. Isidore, explained that a 2009 policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) painted a grim picture of ECPC Contract procurement system. He noted that the two key recommendations proffered by the ISS policy brief included the need to increase project funding to the sector and review of the Contract Procurement Act, 1965. Over the years, several steps have been taken aimed at enacting the Contract Procurement Bill, but the process has been characterized by protracted delays even as the organization’s project procurement system needs significant reforms.
The Chairman of the CPA Review Committee, Hon. Nachirou Tefrige Honore, applauded the efforts of the ECPC
Project Committee for facilitating the final review of the Contract Procurement
Bill. He identified a number of thematic areas/questions that the Committee should focus on, including
(i) how the Bill will reform the ECPC public procurement regime? (ii) making it quicker, simpler, more transparent and better able to meet the ECPC's
needs? (iii) it will more effectively open up public procurement to new entrants
to compete for and win more public contracts? (Iv) what new forms of technology
should be allowed in Contract proceedings? (vi) awarding and legalizing of
contract agreements at the office of the Registrar General (vii) returning bid bonds to unsuccessful bidders.
Following a very open and enlightening discussion, the participants agreed that the retreat for the final review session will take place from the 26th- 29th September, 2023.
It is hoped that the passing into law of the Contract Procurement Bill will strengthen the committee service delivery. The ECPC is grateful for the support of relevant authorities in reviewing of the Contract Procurement Act, 1965.
Communications Unit
ECPC Project Committee
Project Committee Secretariat
Rue 1363, Abattoir, Cotonou
