Olu Samuel
The Kogi state ministry of water resources in Wednesday opened bids for the selection of consultant for water projects in the state.
The ceremony was held on Wednesday in Lokoja.
Speaking in his welcome address,the commissioner for water resources,Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk, said the process is in line with the transparency and accountability policy of the present administration.
“With so much work expected in the Ministry in the coming days, reason for the process in selecting through a merit and competitive base approach, the need to select a competent consultant.”
The Commissioner lauded the present administration for making water top most on it’s thermatic agenda adding that the objectives for the bid opening would be realized.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Ehimony Sunday Joshua (Esq.), represented by the Director Management Information System, described the bid opening ceremony as a clear demonstration of transparency and fairness the State Government is employing to arrive at qualified consultant for the Ministry.
He assured that the selection process is being handled with utmost transparency and fairness, reason the bid opening employed virtual and e- procurement method, strictly on merit.
He assured of a procurement process that is transparent, urge the prospective consultant that will emerge to adhere to terms of reference and specifications so as to ensure value for money.
In his remarks, Chairman tenders Board, Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources who doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Alhassan Omakoji,
assured of competitive bidding
as well as inter agency collaboration that will ensure that the State achieve value for money.
In his remarks, Yahaya Muhammed Jamiu, speaking on behalf of the other consultants that bidded, praised the transparent process employed, assured of their willingness to adhere to terms of reference as well as accept the outcome in good faith, appreciated the transparent process employed.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Kogi Civil Society Organization, have praised the current administration of Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo for placing transparency and accountability on the front burner of his administration.
Speaking on behalf of the Kogi State Nework for Civil Society, the State Chairman, Comr. Amza Aliyu praised the State Government for taking bid opening very seriously, expressed happiness that the State Government is taking responsibility, particularly that the funds it is utilizing is public funds.
The Chairman of KONGONET, expressed satisfaction with the due process and open transparency employed by the Ministry of Water Resources towards selecting a qualified consultant, urged that it be sustained at all levels of the State..
Comr. Amza commended the Ministry for the open display of accountability and for letting the public know that there is fairness and transparency in who emerge in the bid selection, express the willingness of KONGONET to make itself available to monitor all the processes leading to the emergence of the Consultant and for the State to get the benefit of a reputable Consultant.
In his remarks, Ozovehe Muraina Idris, Member of KONGONET, expressed gladness with the mechanism put in place by the Ministry of Water Resources.
He praised the level of due process that is employed and in taking the bid opening very seriously by the present administration.
He lauded the State Government for taking responsibility, particularly that the money to be spent is public funds, congratulated the Ministry for complying with the procurement process and for showing a high level of transparency.