RAAMP moves to construct more rural roads in Akwa Ibom
Evaluation of bids seeking to construct 51.05 kilometres of rural roads, under the backlog maintenance / rehabilitation sub – component of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP has commenced in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital, following the bid closing / opening formalities held recently at the project office of RAAMP.
It could be recalled that the request for bids had been advertised on December 15, last year for 28 working days, in line with global best practices, before progressing the procurement process, with a view to the ultimate selection of a reputable contractor for the construction job.
Under the project, Backlog maintenance refers to such rural roads that have failed and degenerated to deplorable situations, perhaps due to prolonged years of usage, thus impeding and threatening easy access to communities across the country, hence the need for intervention.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor assured the bidders of fairness, transparency and a level playing opportunity for all stakeholders, as she emphasized that ‘’every regulation prescribed by the World Bank concerning the exercise would be followed strictly. I therefore encourage every bidder to be confident that as far as this project is concerned, due process is the watchword.’’
She thanked the State Governor for the release of counterpart funds, while reiterating his faith in the project, pointing out that RAAMP’s development objectives were in rhythm with the principles of ARISE agenda, currently driven by the Umo Eno administration of the state.
The commissioner further commended the World Bank and French Development Agency for conceiving RAAMP and enjoined all stakeholders to embrace and support the project for best results.
The State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan, represented by the Agro-Logistics Officer, Elder Kenneth Iwatt, noted that in line with the World Bank requirements, the request for bids had been advertised in three newspapers – two national and one local; among other modes of publicity to elicit wide public participation in the exercise, adding that the evaluation process would be fair and credible, as earlier underscored by the commissioner.
Also speaking, the Procurement Specialist of RAAMP, Mr. Etim Effiong noted that the bidding process had been open to any contractor, without restriction, across the country, pointing out that in line with the job’s threshold, procurement method approved for the exercise was the National Competitive Bidding, NCB, which throws the process open to bidders across the country without any defined limit.
He reassured the bidders of fairness and due diligence through the evaluation process and wished each of them success at the end of the exercise.
On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Public Procurement, Elder Edem Okon expressed satisfaction with the bid closing / opening event, adding that he was confident that such would be replicated in the actual evaluation process, considering the professionalism and discipline of the officials involved.
He however stressed on the importance of executing the job according to design specifications as well as prompt delivery of the job and charged the ultimate winner(s) to be guided in that regard accordingly.
Responding on behalf of other bidders, Mr. Godwin Joe of Gibeon Property & Asset Management Limited commended RAAMP on the process thus far, while calling on the government to develop definite action plans to further encourage local contractors vis-à-vis their foreign counterparts to stem capital flight.
Highlights of the event were the bid
closing at 11 AM by the commissioner; while the procurement specialist directed proceedings during the bid opening.
40 bids which had been submitted promptly were opened and the necessary preliminary checks done on them, while two of the bids were returned to their respective owners due to late submission.
