Days into the screening of bidders for the cargo survey contract in the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), the process has been alleged to be biased in favour of some companies.
Some of the bidders have already raised alarm over alleged manipulation of the process to favour some ‘incompetent companies.’
They alleged that a committee set up by the management of the NPA is planning to influence the bids to favour some companies. The management of NPA has however denied the allegation, saying that due process is strictly followed in all contracts awarded.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed that the NPA had on November 26, 2016 advertised on its website for ‘competent and reputable cargo surveying companies to express interest in cargo surveying services’ at the Delta, Calabar, Onne, Rivers, Lagos and Tin-Can Island ports’. The advert was responded to by about 60 firms.
But some aggrieved bidders who fear that they may be side-lined alleged that”: “We got information that the committee is planning to give the contracts to some newly incorporated companies which were formed few months ago. These companies have no experience in handling this job.
“This is a job that requires experience, but we are surprised that the tradition of selecting experienced companies is in the process of being jeopardised. Due process is not being followed. The irony is that the consultant that was given the job of accessing all the bidders is yet to submit his report to the committee, yet the committee has reached a decision on those that will handle the job,” he said.
The aggrieved bidders called for investigation into the matter.
Reacting, NPA General Manager, Procurement, Dandare Ahmed confirmed that the committee had a meeting concerning the contract to evaluate some of the bidders and come up with the list of successful ones.
“It is the practice of the procurement department to always use hotels for such evaluations because of the volume of work involved. We are yet to come out with the names of successful bidders, so it is not right for some of the contractors to say we have chosen the companies that will handle the contracts. We are very transparent,” he said.
Discussion about this post