On February 13th, a highly anticipated public bid opening was held at the ACReSAL Kebbi SPMU Conference Hall, located at KM 11 Kalgo Junction in the KARDA Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi. The event, marking the procurement process for 3000 power tillers under Contract No. NG-Kebbi-State-ACReSAL-455768-GO-RFB was a vibrant demonstration of transparency and efficiency in public procurement.
The proceedings kicked off at exactly 12:00 noon, with the session formally commencing at 12:06 anchored by Awwal Hassan Wara, the Communications Officer at ACReSAL Kebbi SPMU. Wara welcomed all invited guests, including notable figures such as Lawal K. Ahmad, representing the Chairman Steering Committee, and Ahmad Isa-Tela, the State Project Coordinator.
The event began on a reflective note with an opening prayer led by the Environmental and Safeguard Officer. Following the prayer, participants engaged in brief self-introductions followed by an opening remark by the SPC who underscored ACReSAL’s unwavering commitment to transparency throughout the process.
A highlight of the day was the detailed overview of the procurement procedure delivered by Hamza Samaila Yeldu, the Project Procurement Officer. Yeldu walked the audience through the step-by-step process for the Request for Bids (RFB) for Goods, covering critical aspects such as bid submission protocols, bid security requirements and the criteria that would govern the evaluation process.
As the bids were opened, the Procurement Committee ensured that all submissions were confirmed as sealed before proceeding. The bid prices were then read out loud, along with all necessary bid security details, reinforcing the process’s integrity. This meticulous approach to the bid opening was applauded by attendees who appreciated the high level of transparency maintained throughout.
Key representatives also shared their remarks during the session. The Ag. Director for Water and Climate Change expressed satisfaction on behalf of the core MDAs, praising the transparent nature of the process. Abubakar Lolo from the Nigeria For Wowen Project echoed this sentiment, commending ACReSAL for its clear and accountable procurement practices while wishing all participating firms the best of luck. The firms’ representative also shared sentiments alike.
The event concluded with a compelling closing remark from Lawal K. Ahmad, the Representative of the Steering Committee. He lauded the bid opening as one of the most transparent he had witnessed and congratulated all firms, emphasizing that “overall, they are all winners.” His words were a powerful reminder of the potential for success when fairness and openness are prioritized.
A representative from Farm World LTD then led the closing prayer, bringing the event to a respectful and thoughtful close by 1:24 pm.
This bid opening not only showcased ACReSAL’s dedication to transparency and accountability but also set a positive precedent for future projects. It was a day when every stakeholder—from government officials to industry representatives—witnessed firsthand the power of a fair and open procurement process, truly making it an event to remember.
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