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Ebonyi State Government Responds to Allegations of Awarding ₦4.1 Billion Contracts to Sole Bidders

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 15th, 2025.

Ebonyi State Government Responds to Allegations of Awarding ₦4.1 Billion Contracts to Sole Bidders

The Ebonyi State Government has issued a response to recent media reports claiming it awarded ₦4.1 billion worth of contracts to 24 sole bidders without a competitive process. In a statement released on Wednesday, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, dismissed the allegations, labeling them as baseless.

According to the Commissioner, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is not obligated to cancel a tender process if only one company expresses interest or submits a bid. He explained that in open tender processes, which were used for the projects in question, all companies are welcome to submit bids. If only one bid is received and is deemed responsive, the project may still be awarded to that bidder.

Okpor also criticized the report from Sahara Reporters, which he claimed was misleading and intended to damage the reputation of the state government. He accused the media outlet of promoting negativity and unverified information, asserting that such attacks on the state were futile and would not distract the government from its objectives.

The statement further clarified that the tenders for the projects were publicly advertised for 30 days through the state’s e-Procurement system. The BPP followed all necessary procedures and awarded the contracts in accordance with the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020).

Okpor emphasized that the government’s procurement processes have been commended by international organizations, including the World Bank and USAID, for their transparency and adherence to best practices. He reiterated the state’s commitment to open governance and maintaining high standards in its operations, as outlined in its manifesto, “The People’s Charter of Needs.”

In conclusion, Okpor assured the public that no amount of media criticism would deter the Ebonyi State Government from its course of action, and the state would continue to operate with integrity and accountability.