By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, on Tuesday organised the Technical Bid Opening for 2020 Capital Projects in compliance with the National Procurement Act.

The technical bid, which was divided into two slots, included Construction and Furnishing of X-Ray Complex with Installation CT Scanner as well as Equipping of Multi-Purpose Hall at the hospital.

Speaking at the event, the Medical Director, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Monday Igwe, said that strict compliance to the Procurement Act, just as the hospital management was doing, had helped the Federal Government ensure transparency while saving the country billions of naira.

“It is good the hospital has keyed into the National Procurement Act and followed all its laid down processes and principles strictly to get the best technical hands for the projects.

“This will ensure transparency, elimination of corruption; and all forms of favouritism to any of the bidder.

“It will give the Federal Government, through the hospital, competitive bidding price meant to reduce cost; while getting the best hand to execute the projects to the overall benefit of the country,” he said.

The medial director, who is also the Chairman of the Tenders Committee, however, applauded the Federal Ministry of Health for approving the implementation of the projects for the benefit of Nigerians using the hospital.

Earlier, Board Chairman of the hospital, Mr. Shaban Shuaibu, said that the bidders that had submitted their tender would be given equal level playing field.

Shuaibu noted that they all would be allowed to follow the process since all that would be done would be transparent and open to all.

“We are here to be fair to all and allow the few best among the bidders, that meets the outlined requirements, to emerge under a transparent manner following the National Procurement Act.

“In this hall, we have observers from all works of life and even the media to ensure that open questions are asked and every step is crystal clear for all to see,” he said.

The chairman advised all to abide by the COVID-19 protocol; which entails all wearing face mask, maintaining level of physical distance as the seats arranged suggest and use the hand sanitiser at the entrance.

Twenty-six bidders tended their requests for the two projects, while LOT–1 [first project] had 17 bidders and LOT–2 [second project] had nine bidders.

Apart from the representatives of the 26 companies that bidded, over 12 observers and some staff of the hospital were present at the technical bid opening.