Competitive e-bidding and periodic ‘supplier performance evaluation’ form key parts of Atlantis’ procurement process, said Singh, adding that the skills and experience of the head of procurement and receiver were vital.
“Receiving plays a very important role as they are the gatekeeper. Considering the sensitivity, this position needs to be represented by a middle level management person,” advised Singh.
“The head of procurement provides overall leadership to the purchasing team and ensures that procurement policies and procedures are followed. Typically, he also is constantly in search of better quality products and better prices. The role is thought to have grown more strategic in recent years as a result of globalisation, compliance factors, and other key industry changes that have triggered a trend toward centralisation of the procurement function for the purposes of standardization and leverage,” he added.
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Singh was confident that corruption in procurement could be stopped if the industry as a whole continues to evolve in this way, “adapting to new tools and technology available for use to facilitate the process”.
Hassan added that with training, international best-practice buying standards, audits, and publicity of cases of bribery, the frequency of bribes would reduce significantly.
“It will not stop 100%, because there will always be people who lack integrity, but at least it will not be something that is considered an industry norm and more importantly it will not be easy for a bribe to take place. The people who should head this effort are GMs, property owners, regional offices of properties and boards of directors. It is something that should come from the top,” he concluded.
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