NSC to Oversee Defense, Security Projects’ Procurement

The decision is intended to expedite the procurement process and implementation of projects, the officials said.

The National Security Council (NSC) will oversee the procurement process for projects of security and defense institutions based on a decision by the National Procurement Authority, officials of the authority said Sunday.

The decision is intended to expedite the procurement process and implementation of projects, the officials said.

“In order to make sure that these projects are processed on time, the National Security Council was assigned to monitor the procedure,” said Ramin Ayaz, spokesman for National Procurement Authority.

“The establishment of a new department has been proposed within the framework of the National Procurement Authority to expedite the procurement process of security and defense institutions,” said Rahmatullah Andar, spokesman for the NSC.

Some lawmakers called the move Illegal, saying that it will provide the grounds for corruption in such projects.

“There are those who are involved in corruption and if they are allowed (for monitoring), they will engage in corruption,” said Abdul Sattar Husaini, an MP.

“Recently, the National Security Council is trying to take control of key government activities,” said Zalmay Mujaddedi, an MP.

Private sector representatives said that the centralization of all procurement activities at the Presidential Palace limits their access to government projects.

“More control on procurement projects will create more challenges to the private sector and those who want to get contracts,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, the deputy head of the Afghanistan Chambers Federation.