The Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday opened bids for the selection of consultants for water projects across the state.
The bid-opening ceremony was held in Lokoja and drew officials from relevant government agencies, civil society groups and representatives of consulting firms.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk said the process aligns with the transparency and accountability policy of the present administration.
“With so much work expected in the Ministry in the coming days, the reason for the process is selecting through a merit and competitive-based approach the need to select a competent consultant,” he said.
Farouk lauded the administration for placing water supply at the forefront of its thematic agenda, expressing confidence that the objectives of the bid process would be realised.
Earlier, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Ehimony Sunday Joshua (Esq.), who was represented by the Director of Management Information System, described the exercise as “a clear demonstration of transparency and fairness the State Government is employing to arrive at a qualified consultant for the Ministry.”
He assured participants that the selection process was being handled with “utmost transparency and fairness,” noting that the bid opening adopted virtual and e-procurement methods strictly on merit.
He further urged the consultant who would eventually emerge to adhere strictly to the terms of reference and specifications to ensure value for money.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Tenders Board and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Alhassan Omakoji, assured stakeholders of a competitive bidding process and inter-agency collaboration to ensure the state achieves value for money.
On behalf of the bidding consultants, Yahaya Muhammed Jamiu commended the transparent process adopted and expressed readiness to adhere to the terms of reference and accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Kogi Civil Society Organisation praised the administration of Usman Ahmed Ododo for prioritising transparency and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the Kogi State Network for Civil Society (KONGONET), the State Chairman, Comrade Amza Aliyu, applauded the government for taking the bid opening seriously, especially given that the funds involved are public resources.
He expressed satisfaction with the due process and openness demonstrated by the Ministry in selecting a qualified consultant and urged that such standards be sustained across all levels of government.
Aliyu also commended the Ministry for what he described as an open display of accountability and pledged KONGONET’s readiness to monitor the process leading to the emergence of the consultant to ensure the state benefits from a reputable firm.
Similarly, a member of KONGONET, Ozovehe Muraina Idris, praised the mechanism put in place by the Ministry, noting the high level of due process employed in conducting the bid opening.