Beckles: ‘Government stripping OPR of powers’

OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles has accused the Government of weakening public procurement oversight through proposed amendments to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act.

In a statement today, Beckles questioned the Government’s decision to introduce the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, particularly provisions she said would significantly reduce the powers of the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR).

Under the proposed amendments, the OPR would no longer be able, following a complaint or investigation, to suspend or stay procurement proceedings, stop a public body from proceeding, require a procurement decision to be reconsidered or reversed, direct a re-evaluation, terminate procurement proceedings or interfere with the award or performance of a contract.