In a testament to the burgeoning interest in Nigeria’s railway infrastructure development, more than 530 companies have eagerly submitted bids for a multitude of projects under the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for the fiscal year 2024.
With an impressive capital allocation of over N11 billion for the year ahead, the NRC’s projects encompass a broad spectrum of initiatives, including innovative road enhancements, vital locomotive repairs, the enhancement of coaches and rolling stocks, as well as the crucial supply of lubricants, fuel, spare parts, track materials, and more.
The opening of the bids, held at the prestigious NRC headquarters in Lagos, saw the managing director, Engr Fidet Okhiria, underscore the annual event’s significance.
He emphasised that it mirrors the corporation’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in the procurement process.
Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Monsurat Omotayo, who represented the managing director, reiterated the purpose of the event, stating, “This is an annual event in line with the Procurement Act and the extant laws. NRC had advertised a month ago to invite interested organisations which are suitable and capable to bid for projects and express interest for the 2024 projects.”
She further elaborated, “This opening ceremony is for us to be able to make this process very transparent and fair. You can see the lineup of all our evaluators. So, it is going to be a very detailed exercise.”
The meticulous scrutiny of bid submissions by designated officials aims to ensure compliance with rigorous eligibility criteria.
Okhiria emphasised the importance of this initial phase, highlighting, “We have a lot of projects, maybe over 500 projects. As NRC, we want to do over 1,000 projects a year, but obviously everything is dependent on our budget. So, we have managed to put our priority projects in this.”
With the influx of bids from a diverse array of companies, the NRC stands poised to embark on an ambitious journey of railway expansion and modernization, propelling Nigeria further along the path of infrastructural advancement and economic growth.
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