NDDC Opens Bids For 66 Mega Projects

In compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has opened bids for 66 mega projects lined up for implementation in the 2011 budget.

They include: 17 Shore Protection/Erosion control projects, 33 road projects, 5 electrification projects, and one technical college in each of the nine states of the region.

Others are Regional Technical Village/Industrial Park for each of the nine states of the region as well as a Regional Specialist Children, Orthopaedic/Cardiovascular Hospital and Maternity Home in each of Niger Delta state.

Performing the ceremony witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Civil Society Organisations, the Managing Director Dr. Christian Oboh said the move was in furtherance of the board’s commitment to due process and strict adherence to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the contracts would be awarded to the least most responsive bidder who will be known only after the bids have been evaluated and analysed.

“Arithmetical correction is carried out to ensure that there is no mistake in the calculation of all the items in the Bill of Engineering Measurement (BEME), hence it is not the amount announced here that will be used to award the contract,” he said.

Cautioning further, the NDDC boss said: “don’t go to church yet and start thanking God that you have now won a contract when the analysis has not yet been done. You can only thank God when you are the least most responsive bidder.”

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Projects, Engineer Edikan Eshiet commended the NDDC MD for his vision in setting up the bids committee to analyse the tenders submitted by contractors.

He advised successful bidders to be ready to execute the contracts within the approved time frame adding, “the commission should not be distracted by unnecessary request for variation”.