GSA Bidding: NAPIMS Officials Exonerated, Exercise Halted By Court

Contrary to a report by an online news medium of an alleged corrupt and unethical practices by officials of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) over bidding for Government Security Agencies (GSA) CW 502377 within the Oil and Gas pipeline within Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States, investigations by this medium has revealed otherwise.

The report had alleged that the bidding process being supervised by NAPIMS was a sham with officials of the agency getting involved with alleged cronies and fake companies to manipulate pricing and that they did not possess the technical know-how needed to operate in the region.

But, findings, however, revealed that despite the misleading headline, the publication alluded to NNPC Ltd’s intervention following petitions by some bidders.

It was learnt that the tender process was subjected to internal reviews and investigations to ensure that all bidders were treated fairly and that the process was uncompromised.

During the review, inside sources disclosed that ambiguities in some bidders’ interpretation of the commercial template were observed, and recommendations were made to ensure that every bidder was protected.

A top official who spoke to our correspondent further confirmed the development, stressing that contrary to the report, no contract has been awarded for the tender pending the determination of the court proceedings instituted by aggrieved bidders

According to the official: “Both the NNPC Ltd and SPDC, have deferred further action on the tender pending the outcome of the court proceedings.

“NNPC Ltd remains committed to upholding the tenets of fairness and integrity while actively promoting the continued growth and development of indigenous capacity in all aspects of the oil and gas industry.

“We urge all parties to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims or spreading false information that may harm the integrity of the bidding process.”

Further investigations revealed that the there could not have been any contract as the case is in court. The claimants, in the suit No. PHC/3578/CS/2022, filed by Alabo Datelima Membere urged the agency to halt every of such process using the court, which has been complied with.