NewStats: 3,263,679 , 8,181,010 topics. Date: Saturday, 07 June 2025 at 09:46 AM 3h4j10

Ebonyi Govt Reacts Over Reports Of Awarding N4.1Billion Projects To 24 Sole Bidders Without Competitive Process

Ebonyi State Government has finally reacted to media reports that it awarded N4.1Billion Projects to 24 sole bidders without competitive Process.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Honourable Commissioner for Commissioner, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor said it beats the imagination of Ebonyi State Government why Sahara Reporters create issues where there should be none.


According to the Commissioner, the Bureau of Public Procurement is not required to cancel the Tender process if only one company showed interest/ submitted bid for an open tender that has been d.

He further noted that the BPP proceeded with the evaluation and award of the project because the bids submitted were responsive.


The statement reads in full ;


MEDIA ATTACKS ON EBONYI STATE GOVERNMENT: EFFORT IN FUTILITY.

RE: Ebonyi Govt Awards N4.1Billion Projects To 24 Sole Bidders Without Competitive Process

The above publication from Sahara Reporters has caught the attention of the Ebonyi State Government.

In as much as we do not regard the report as deserving of our diligent response, we wish to make few comments in order to assuage the reading public whose sensibilities may have been insulted by the obviously mischievous headline.

First of all, it has become pertinent that we bring Sahara Reporters to public opprobrium as a media organization whose stock in trade is to advance negativity, scandals and uninformed reports often intended at smearing the good reputation of others.

The State Government has over some period of time, followed the reports and some clandestine activities of some of the reporters in the organisation and have come to a conclusion that Sahara Reporters are deliberate mischief makers who for want of news content dabble into self-conceived, subjective and unresearched reports, dishing out lies and half truths to the public without recourse to the ethics of journalism. We simply wish to assure them and their pay masters that their incessant media attack on Ebonyi State Government tantamounts to effort in futility as the present government can never be distracted by such infantile diatribes.

The earlier Sahara Reporters departs from its present anachronistic approach and embrace the trending global developmental journalism, the better for its reputation.

The Sahara Reporters in the report, alleged that multiple companies were not chosen to bid for the projects. Such allegation is unfounded because it needed to have been lectured that in Open Tender, the state does not chose or select companies that will bid. All companies are allowed to submit bid for the project. It's only in SELECTIVE TENDER that the state chooses companies that will participate in the tender. On the projects in question, the procurement method used was OPEN TENDER.

The tenders were d for 30 days on the state e-Procurement system, and if only one company paid tender fees and submitted a bid, that company can be awarded if their bid is responsive. Section 35 (2a) of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020) specifies provisions to re- a tender, and single bid submission is not among the conditions that should warrant re-advertising a tender.

According to the State Public Procurement Law (2020), the Bureau of Public Procurement is not required to cancel the Tender process if only one company showed interest/ submitted bid for an open tender that has been d. In this case, the BPP proceeded with the evaluation and award of the project because the bids submitted were responsive.

It beats our imagination why Sahara Reporters create issues where there should be none. You don't force companies to bid for contracts. If a body sets an examination and only one person writes the exam, will he/she not be issued a certificate?

Good enough, the reporter in the report recognized that all the school projects were not awarded to only one company but different companies for each.

It is on record that Government business in Ebonyi State, including procurement processes under the istration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has gained multiple commendations from various reputable organisations such as the World Bank, USAID-State to State and State Fiscal Transparency, ability and Sustainability (SFTAS). We are emboldened by these recognitions as one of the best states that have enthroned transparency, ability and effectiveness in her e-procurement and other governance processes in line with global best practices.

It is our sacred commitment to continue to conduct all our affairs with the principles of open governance as enshrined in our manifesto: "The People's Charter of Needs," and no amount of mudslinging will ever cajole us to deviate from our set standards or eclipse those facts which have placed Ebonyi as a model from which other states subscribe to learn.

Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor,
Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
15/01/2025.

Source : https://newsmaxng.com/2025/01/15/ebonyi-govt-reacts-over-reports-of-awarding-n4-1billion-projects-to-24-sole-bidders-without-competitive-process/

The worst in the east

Where is my reward for FTC

This is Nigeria where the abnormal is normal

Lets wait for the reactor Bitter Hoebi to react...

I'm not even surprised..

Impunity lives in all these states..

All 36 of them.

They do as they like and the House of Assembly who are supposed to be checking these excesses are in the pockets of the Emperors.

Amuluonyenaego:
The worst in the east

The worst by what metrics or indices?

I don't believe only 1 company did the bid per contract - Others were either discouraged from submitting or no public advert of it.

BoldBrainz:


The worst by what metrics or indices?

Whatever thing he represents

Amuluonyenaego:

Whatever thing he represents

You have no valid points. Rest. You mustn't comment on every thread.

BoldBrainz:


You have no valid points. Rest. You mustn't comment on every thread.

Cos u are not current in the happenings of the east.

Amuluonyenaego:

Cos u are not current in the happenings of the east.

And I'm asking you who's supposedly current, by what indices are you rating Ebonyi under Nwifuru as the worst in the entire South East?

Nwifuru is so reckless financially. He's just giving out millions of naira to his family and friends. Everyday we hear he gives 10 million to this, twenty million to that.
He's giving out low budget project at a very exorbitant price and low pace. He's just a direct opposite of Umahi. Ebonyi have entered one chance

BoldBrainz:


And I'm asking you who's supposedly current, by what indices are you rating Ebonyi under Nwifuru as the worst in the entire South East?

Kiss the truth Oga. I'm from his community but he's a bad governor. From all angles he's giving out show of shame. Substandard structures, incompetent contractors, low pace of work, increased taxation. He's not doing well

BoldBrainz:


And I'm asking you who's supposedly current, by what indices are you rating Ebonyi under Nwifuru as the worst in the entire South East?

come and see the death trap he set at the newly constructed ogbaga road. His community has no light till date since he became governor because of a spoilt transformer.

Contracts designed by them. Contracts d by them. Contracts bidding by them.Contracts winners, them.Funds for contracts released by them.Contracts huge money collected by them.Contracts abandon at the end of the day by them.

FarSide:

Kiss the truth Oga. I'm from his community but he's a bad governor. From all angles he's giving out show of shame. Substandard structures, incompetent contractors, low pace of work, increased taxation. He's not doing well

If this is indeed the case then it is most unfortunate and disappointing. He looked quite promising from the start and if he's turned out to be this incompetent and insensitive, then he just might end up reversing all the gains Ebonyi recorded under the past governments.

FarSide:
Nwifuru is so reckless financially. He's just giving out millions of naira to his family and friends. Everyday we hear he gives 10 million to this, twenty million to that.
He's giving out low budget project at a very exorbitant price and low pace. He's just a direct opposite of Umahi. Ebonyi have entered one chance

I doubt if you're from Ebonyi State. Reading your post, one may think the Governor is not doing anything. He may not be performing optimally like Abia State Governor but he's trying.

For the first time since the time of Umahi, there was a massive recruitment by his istration. Not just that, close 1000 Ebonyians were awarded scholarships to both local and international schools.

Have you forgotten the state the university before he took over from his predecessor. University workers were owed two to three months salaries. When he assumed as the Governor, he took care of all the astounding arrears.

In workers gratuities, there were series of verification to understand the true situation of things in how many were owed. His Governor has paid all the outstanding gratuities owed to retirees. My uncle is testimony to that.

He was among the first Governors to implement the newly approved minimum wage. At a time when federal staff were complaining bitterly, he paid civil servants not just their December salaries on time but an additional 150000 as Christmas bonus.

In of infrastructure, he may not be working optimally when compared to his predecessor but he is working. The ongoing construction at the vanco section may be slow but he's working.

Were you expecting the government not tax? How then do you want them to generate revenue? In of tax, you can't compare him with his predecessor. He collects but that he does with empathy.

And for your information, Ebonyi State has not entered one chance.

BoldBrainz:


And I'm asking you who's supposedly current, by what indices are you rating Ebonyi under Nwifuru as the worst in the entire South East?

Why bolding your comments, cos you are seeking for attention. Grow up boy, we ve been in this nairaland since 2009 before u even get sense.

Amuluonyenaego:

Why bolding your comments, cos you are seeking for attention. Grow up boy, we ve been in this nairaland since 2009 before u even get sense.

Okay, nairaland ancestor. I've heard you. I'll grow up and stop seeking attention.

Now, please tell me what indices you're using to rate Ebonyi under Nwifuru as the worst state in the entire South East?!

edogu:

I doubt if you're from Ebonyi State. Reading your post, one may think the Governor is not doing anything. He may not be performing optimally like Abia State Governor but he's trying.

For the first time since the time of Umahi, there was a massive recruitment by his istration. Not just that, close 1000 Ebonyians were awarded scholarships to both local and international schools.

My Dad has not been paid since 2014, he retired, my mum is presently owed two months salary November and December, so also others

Have you forgotten the state the university before he took over from his predecessor. University workers were owed two to three months salaries. When he assumed as the Governor, he took care of all the astounding arrears.

In workers gratuities, there were series of verification to understand the true situation of things in how many were owed. His Governor has paid all the outstanding gratuities owed to retirees. My uncle is testimony to that.

He was among the first Governors to implement the newly approved minimum wage. At a time when federal staff were complaining bitterly, he paid civil servants not just their December salaries on time but an additional 150000 as Christmas bonus.

In of infrastructure, he may not be working optimally when compared to his predecessor but he is working. The ongoing construction at the vanco section may be slow but he's working.

Were you expecting the government not tax? How then do you want them to generate revenue? In of tax, you can't compare him with his predecessor. He collects but that he does with empathy.

And for your information, Ebonyi State has not entered one chance.

How person Wan take see good work for this Ebonyi state ??

Make I just see good link through here 🙏🏾🙏🏾

FarSide:
come and see the death trap he set at the newly constructed ogbaga road. His community has no light till date since he became governor because of a spoilt transformer.

na governor go buy transformer? Something wey community dey contribute money buy, even senators or local government chairman dey drop money sometimes....

edogu:

I doubt if you're from Ebonyi State. Reading your post, one may think the Governor is not doing anything. He may not be performing optimally like Abia State Governor but he's trying.

For the first time since the time of Umahi, there was a massive recruitment by his istration. Not just that, close 1000 Ebonyians were awarded scholarships to both local and international schools.

Have you forgotten the state the university before he took over from his predecessor. University workers were owed two to three months salaries. When he assumed as the Governor, he took care of all the astounding arrears.

In workers gratuities, there were series of verification to understand the true situation of things in how many were owed. His Governor has paid all the outstanding gratuities owed to retirees. My uncle is testimony to that.

He was among the first Governors to implement the newly approved minimum wage. At a time when federal staff were complaining bitterly, he paid civil servants not just their December salaries on time but an additional 150000 as Christmas bonus.

In of infrastructure, he may not be working optimally when compared to his predecessor but he is working. The ongoing construction at the vanco section may be slow but he's working.

Were you expecting the government not tax? How then do you want them to generate revenue? In of tax, you can't compare him with his predecessor. He collects but that he does with empathy.

And for your information, Ebonyi State has not entered one chance.

Recruiting workers to where they are not even needed is not a form of true leadership. I have friends that benefited from the said recruitments; most of them don't go to work in months, yet they get their salaries at the end of the month. He shouldn't have recruited unwanted workers in the first place. There are many ways to make the city economically viable and everyone will fit it. Everybody must not be on government payroll.
On workers salaries and gratuity, he paid all and still have some cash to throw around. Why not put that money into something more meaningful? Look how Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi did. That's empowerment and not dolling out bundles of cash to people that doesn't know what to invest on. I know one man in my street that he gave 10m last year. He wasted the money on women and alcohol, that's what many other cash beneficiaries do too.
Teach people how to fish and provide them with fishing tools and they will never go hungry again.

Just award my own project abeg...

Judolisco:
na governor go buy transformer? Something wey community dey contribute money buy, even senators or local government chairman dey drop money sometimes....

He is a governor. He should show his immediate community some love. Other governors did it; he also should do it. Charity begins at home

edogu:

I doubt if you're from Ebonyi State. Reading your post, one may think the Governor is not doing anything. He may not be performing optimally like Abia State Governor but he's trying.

For the first time since the time of Umahi, there was a massive recruitment by his istration. Not just that, close 1000 Ebonyians were awarded scholarships to both local and international schools.

Have you forgotten the state the university before he took over from his predecessor. University workers were owed two to three months salaries. When he assumed as the Governor, he took care of all the astounding arrears.

In workers gratuities, there were series of verification to understand the true situation of things in how many were owed. His Governor has paid all the outstanding gratuities owed to retirees. My uncle is testimony to that.

He was among the first Governors to implement the newly approved minimum wage. At a time when federal staff were complaining bitterly, he paid civil servants not just their December salaries on time but an additional 150000 as Christmas bonus.

In of infrastructure, he may not be working optimally when compared to his predecessor but he is working. The ongoing construction at the vanco section may be slow but he's working.

Were you expecting the government not tax? How then do you want them to generate revenue? In of tax, you can't compare him with his predecessor. He collects but that he does with empathy.

And for your information, Ebonyi State has not entered one chance.

After implementing minimum wage very close to Dec, he also approved #150k for civil servants in the state as Christmas bonus and you say he's not wasteful?? Last two years many governors approved Christmas bonus, how many did that this year? It will help you understand how waste the governor is. What Ebonyi needs now are projects that will open up the state to investors.

Solsix:

After implementing minimum wage very close to Dec, he also approved #150k for civil servants in the state as Christmas bonus and you say he's not wasteful?? Last two years many governors approved Christmas bonus, how many did that this year? It will help you understand how waste the governor is. What Ebonyi needs now are projects that will open up the state to investors.

Who told you that he's not doing that?

edogu:

Who told you that he's not doing that?

Whatever development happening in various states can be seen on the page of newspaperor online. Where do I see what's happening in Ebonyi state??

Solsix:

Whatever development happening in various states can be seen on the page of newspaperor online. Where do I see what's happening in Ebonyi state??

You should blame the commissioner for information for on that. That's one area Umahi was good.