Local firm launches service to combat corruption in procurement
In a concerted effort to tackle corruption in tendering and procurement processes, Product and Business Services Limited (PBSL), a local firm, has unveiled its anti-corruption website, Tenderite.
This innovative digital platform, referred to as the “Corruption Vaccine,” aims to reform the way institutions source and assess quotations and bids, mitigating issues such as corruption, fraud, bias, unfairness, and nepotism.
At the official launch event held at Blantyre Sports Club, William Sichinga, the founder and executive chairman of PBSL, said Tenderite is a solution to counteract corruption in the tendering and procurement sectors.
He said the computerized system oversees the entire process, encompassing bid and tender acquisition, quotation processing, and evaluation.
“Since 2021 when the product was introduced, we have a client base of about 150 companies. So far, we have handled over 3 000 tenders and bids for goods and services. The product has proved valuable in the insurance industry so much that five of the eight players in the country are our clients,” he said.
According to Sichinga, Tenderite redefines procurement decision-making dynamics by minimizing human influence.
He said: “It is consumers who suffer the most in corrupt settings since they get goods and services at values higher than the normal prescription. So we are going into more awareness on how the application will help them get fair deals.
“Tenderite stands as a testament to PBSL’s commitment to promoting transparency, integrity, and fairness in the intricate landscape of procurement. With its resolute mission, the application paves the way for a future where corruption’s grip on tendering and procurement is dismantled, ushering in an era of equitable opportunities for all.”
