Louis Iba
Some contractors who bidded for the construction of an Independent Power project (IPP) for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, have faulted the process that led to the selection of Messrs J. Marine, as the preferred bidder, alleging that transparency and due process were not followed.
Daily Sun learnt that some of the contractors who voiced their discontent on the process are worried that Messrs J. Marine did not participate in the bidding for the project, which was advertised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on April 12, 2017.
It was gathered that four firms (Jampur, 2G Arbico, Sakr and 4T Technologies), which submitted bids and were present for the formal bid opening for the project on May 10, 2017, were not chosen for the juicy job.
The aggrieved contractors therefore alleged that it was acts of nepotism and cronyism on the part of officials of FAAN and the Federal Ministry of Aviation that could have thrown up Messrs J. Marine as the preferred bidder for a project they never bidded for.
“It can be confirmed from FAAN that this J. Marine was not part of the bidding process. Neither was it invited nor participated in any form or shape in the bidding. How did they get in there? How can this happen in this day and age in our country at a time the government is preaching change?” the contractors queried.
The contractors are therefore appealing to the Federal Government to wade into the matter and compel FAAN to follow due process by choosing the preferred bidder and reserve bidder for the project from the four firms that participated in the bid process in line with due process.