The Ebonyi State Government has strongly refuted claims that it awarded N4.1 billion worth of projects without following due bidding processes. The government described the allegations, which originated from an online publication, as baseless and aimed at misleading the public.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, issued a statement dismissing the report as “self-conceived, subjective, and unresearched.” According to Okpor, the publication was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the state government’s image, emphasizing that the administration remains committed to transparency and accountability in all its dealings.
Addressing the allegations, Okpor clarified that the projects in question were awarded through an open tender process, adhering strictly to the provisions of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020). The tenders were advertised for 30 days on the state’s e-Procurement platform, providing all interested companies an equal opportunity to submit bids. He noted that if only one company submitted a responsive bid, the law permits the project to be awarded without re-advertisement.
The Commissioner further pointed out that the projects were not awarded to a single company, as suggested by the report, but rather distributed among multiple contractors, ensuring fairness and competitiveness. He emphasized that the state’s procurement processes have received commendations from reputable organizations, including the World Bank, USAID-State to State, and the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) program.
Read also: Ogun police raise concerns over rising cases of missing person
“The current administration, led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has consistently upheld principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance. These recognitions are a testament to our commitment to global best practices,” Okpor stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to its manifesto, “The People’s Charter of Needs,” assuring the public that no amount of misinformation or malicious attacks would derail its vision.
The Ebonyi State Government urged journalists and media organizations to uphold the ethics of journalism by ensuring that their reports are factual, objective, and well-researched, rather than relying on falsehoods to generate sensational headlines.
