The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has rejected a proposal by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to cancel 99 contracts that were previously approved and awarded in 2023. According to a leaked document, the BPP expressed concerns over the transparency and competitiveness of the procurement process, citing potential biases and favoritism in the contractor selection process.
The NPA had requested the BPP to grant a “No Objection” clearance for the adoption of the Restricted Tendering Method, which involves handpicking contractors. However, the BPP refused, stating that the NPA had not provided proper and accountable explanations and details of the supposed awarded projects.
The cancellation targets contracts awarded to several firms providing cargo survey services across the country’s ports. Stakeholders maintain that the contracts were awarded after proper procedures were followed, and that the NPA’s decision to cancel them may be driven by personal interests within the authority’s new leadership.
The BPP has ordered the NPA to furnish it with details of the 2023 procurement records and budget implementation status, as well as to re-prioritize 43 projects and adopt Open Competitive Bidding for less priority projects. The Bureau is certain that open competition will guarantee better value for money to the government.
