By what authority does ECC audit PNH public contracts?

Based on alleged opaque management by the PNH, the civil society organization Ensemble Contre la Corruption (ECC) questions public contracts awarded within the Haitian National Police (PNH). Without answering media questions, ECC states it was approached by bidders who allegedly lost contracts for PNH catering services. The contract in question concerns the institution's catering services, valued at 29 million dollars for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Since then, the organization has been raging in the media about this matter, even making it a personal issue. Why? Le Relief decided to get to the bottom of things. According to our information, a contract was awarded for police catering. After the bids were opened, the commission responsible for overseeing the files awarded the contract to a duly qualified bidder. It was at this moment that a close associate of an organization member of the ECC consortium went to complain. A Call for Transparency As part of the organization's efforts to promote transparency and good governance, ECC doubts the sound management of public funds in several institutions. Without demonstrating solid expertise, the group evokes a series of administrative techniques and mechanisms that should frame procedures in the fight against corruption. This raises doubts about the good intentions of this civil society consortium in this country. ECC claims to be capable of evaluating the legal and administrative compliance of a public contract. Does it, however, have the technical competence to do so? The constant focus on PNH catering contracts risks discrediting not only the fight against corruption by these human rights organizations but also other issues. Holding hegemony in the production of acts and documents for Transparency International, ECC should demonstrate a little more transparency in identifying cases, to prevent their reports from losing credibility. Instrumentalization of the Anti-Corruption Fight Alerted by the National Commission for Public Procurement (CNMP), a qualified authority to intervene, ECC's approach can harm and delay procedures. For an impartial fight, ECC must exercise increased vigilance over the management of public funds. Accessing files, examining them, conducting investigations, and disclosing them with complete serenity. This is a good approach to avoid creating false scandals in a society already sick to the bone. With significant resources, controlling powerful sectors, both national and international, this consortium indicates to this bidder the legal remedies provided by law. A very self-interested approach, which can also heavily impact the work of mandated institutions, namely the Court of Auditors and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). The financial stakes of public contracts in public institutions are enormous. This is why ECC should encourage respect for procurement procedures and standards. It is crucial to avoid engaging in cronyism and clientelism, which can even weaken the fight against corruption. Jacques Fred Mourra