The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has stepped up efforts to monitor public procurement processes, identify risks and investigate malpractices in a bid to foster transparency and accountability for public finances.

At least 20 officers operating in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), last Friday, underwent an internal training to improve their knowledge on national laws as well as skills on handling cases related to corruption in public procurement.

The training was held at RNP headquarters in Kacyiru and was conducted in partnership with Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA).

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Morris Murigo, the deputy commissioner of CID, said the training will contribute to the officers’ expertise in fostering Rwanda’s vision on zero tolerance for corruption.

"Corruption in public procurement leads to mismanagement of money meant to deliver services. Our country is renowned for fighting corruption and, therefore, RNP aims to enforce accountability in public procurement,” Murigo said.

"By fighting irregularities in public procurement, RNP will send a strong message on its commitment to ensuring integrity and playing its role in assuring a level playing field in all procurement processes.”

One of the trainers, Prosper Habumuremyi, a legal affairs fficer at RPPA, said malpractices can happen any stage of a procurement process, so vigilance is paramount in carrying out timely and professional investigations.

"During bid evaluation, there are some individuals who tend to disqualify or pass bids in an improper manner due to personal and selfish reasons. This is just one of the crimes committed in procurement processes which must not be tolerated,” he said.

Articles 628 and 629 of the Penal Code stipulate that any person who discloses information on specifications of a tender before its publication, illegally influences evaluation tender processes, or offers a tender to an unqualified party; shall be liable to a term of imprisonment between six months to two years and a fine between Rwf500,000 and Rwf2 million.

The articles also punish a superior who orders a subordinate to commit one of the above crimes, with a term of imprisonment between three and five years plus the same fine. editorial@newtimes.co.rw