RAAMP: Bidders thumbs up for procurement diligence in Akwa Ibom
Prospective contractors for the construction of spot improvement of rural roads and cross drainage structures, under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP have expressed confidence in the procurement process that would culminate in the emergence of the successful contractor(s) for the job award, describing the procedure as standard and transparent.
This, among other things, were highlighted at the bid closing / opening event, with regards to the Request for Proposal for Construction Services for Spot Improvement of 130.63 km of Rural Roads and Cross Drainage Structures (Bridges/Culverts) of 39.0 Linear Meters in Akwa Ibom State (Phase 1), earlier published on August 01, which closed by 12 Noon on August 31, 2023 by the Akwa Ibom State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP
The bidders said they were optimistic while looking forward to the conclusion of the exercise, hoping that RAAMP would live up to her integrity and realise a fair outcome on a level playing field for the respective participants.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Rural Access Road Agency, RARA, Mr. Gabriel Nkanang, paid glowing tributes to the State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan and his team, while assuring all the participants of fairness throughout the exercise. His words: “You don’t need to know anybody to get through this job. The World Bank does not compromise standards in any of its projects and this is not an exception. Please don’t offer anybody a dime in the course of this exercise,” adding that “if you have any grievance in the process, explore the project’s communication channels and all your concerns would be redressed accordingly.”
On his part, the State Project Coordinator, Pastor Gideon Akpan reiterated that under his watch, the project does not neglect any procedure established by the World Bank in the course of the implementation process, pointing out that having earlier delivered on similar activities successfully, he and his team would continue to make the state proud by living above board on their assignments.
“This exercise will adhere strictly to standard World Bank procurement processes. There is no political interference whatsoever. This project is very dear to His Excellency, the Governor, most especially as it focuses on agriculture and rural development, which is the baseline of the ARISE agenda of the current administration of the state.”
Pastor Akpan assured the gathering that the evaluation exercise would be handled by an experienced technical team, which would further be submitted to the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU and the World Bank for further due diligence so as to guarantee transparency and integrity for the exercise. “Please, don’t pressurise us. If you win, you will be told why and how you won; and if you lose, you will also be told why and how you lost so as to strengthen you with more knowledge to approach similar activities that would come up in subsequent times.”
He thanked Governor Umo Eno for his disposition about the project and pledged that he and his team would ensure prompt delivery on set timelines for best results.
Highpoint of the event was the bid opening exercise in which the procurement specialist, Mr. Etim Effiong noted that 9 bids were submitted late and would be returned to their owners before the opening of other bids would commence. His words: “In line with ITB 23.1, bids that are submitted late would not be opened but returned to their owners. Sales and submission of bids had closed by 12 Noon. We will therefore return these nine (9) bids which came late to the owners before proceeding to open these other ones that were submitted in record time.”
He explained that the bids were divided into six lots and announced a check list to be examined as each of the bids would be opened. They included: The bid letter – signed / unsigned; Bid security as well as the bid price, among other requirements.
Responding on behalf of other bidders, the project manager of Probuild Consolidated Services Ltd, Mr. Usigwu Okechukwu expressed their faith in the exercise and thanked the project for organising the event.
Records indicate that 73 bids were purchased out of which 36 were submitted in record time, nine were submitted late, while 28 were not submitted after purchase.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development cum Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee, SPMC, represented by the Director of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mr. Solomon Joe; the Head – Project Finance Monitoring Unit, PFMU, Mrs. Emem George; the State Project Implementation Unit and staff of RAAMP as well as some observers.
