The Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday opened bids for the selection of consultants for water projects across the state in a process officials said was anchored on transparency and competitiveness.
The bid-opening ceremony, held in Lokoja, was attended by representatives of government agencies, civil society organisations and consulting firms.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk, said the exercise aligned with the transparency and accountability policy of the current 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 state government for prioritising water supply under its thematic agenda, expressing confidence that the objectives of the bid process would be achieved.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Kogi State Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Ehimony Sunday Joshua (Esq.), represented by the Director of Management Information System, described the exercise as a clear demonstration of transparency and fairness in the selection of a qualified consultant.
He assured participants that the process was being handled with utmost transparency, noting that the bid opening adopted virtual and e-procurement methods strictly based on merit.
Joshua urged the consultant that would eventually emerge to adhere strictly to the terms of reference and project 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 guarantee value for money.
On behalf of the bidding firms, Yahaya Muhammed Jamiu commended the transparent process and expressed readiness to comply with the terms of reference and accept the outcome in good faith.
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Meanwhile, the Kogi State Network for Civil Society (KONGONET) praised the administration of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for prioritising transparency and accountability.
Speaking for the group, its State Chairman, Comrade Amza Aliyu, applauded the government for taking the bid opening seriously, noting that the funds involved were public resources.
He expressed satisfaction with the due process demonstrated by the Ministry and urged that such standards be sustained across all levels of government.
Aliyu 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 the group, Ozovehe Muraina Idris, commended the mechanism adopted by the Ministry, describing the level of due process in the bid opening as commendable.