Few days to handover…BPP approved N190bn contracts

Some of the certificates were issued on May 28, less than 24 hours before the President’s tenure expired, according to official documents seen by Daily Trust.
The contract clearing house gave the no objection certificates for the award of multiple contracts in last minute deals covering power (N19bn), aviation (N1.7bn), Federal Capital Territory Authority [FCTA, (N61bn)], works (N2.9bn)  and water resources (N106bn) ministries.
The BPP issued a certificate of no objection to the Ministry of Water Resources for a N106 billion contract for the construction of a dam in Taraba state. The ministry was further asked to seek final approvals from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which is chaired by president.
The FCTA got approval for N61bn job for the provision of infrastructure in Jahi district (N60bn) and also sewage disposal services for the six area councils in Abuja (N1bn).
Spokesman Mr. Thomas Odemwingie said the bureau did not deviate from its mandate as it only reviewed to determine if the conditions for the award of the no objection certificate had been met.
In a telephone interview, he said the “BPP conducted its activities in accordance with its mandate. The period under review, the staff members were earning their salaries and whatever was done was within its mandate.”
According to the BPP approval threshold published in its website, contracts for Consultancy Services and Non-Consultancy Services worth over N100 million must get the final clearance of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by the president.
For projects worth N1billion and above they must pass through FEC. However, the bureau gave a no objection certificate of a contract worth N2.2 billion to Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in favour of Messrs Steag Encotec Ltd without asking them to get FEC for approval.
The clearance which was given on May 28, about 24 hours to the expiration of the Jonathan administration is for the extension of project consultancy services for Calabar, Egbama, Gbarain and Omoku power plants. The last FEC held by the Jonathan’s government took place on May 27.
Director General of BPP, Engr. Emeka Eze and one Engr. Babatunde Kuye signed all the approval saying; “Having examined your request and all the documents forwarded confirm that the project has satisfied all due process requirements for issuance of a certificate of “No objection” for the award of the contract.
Engr. Ezeh has been the Director General of the bureau since July 27, 2007 when he was appointed by late president Musa Yar’adua and later confirmed on January 27, 2009.
On May 28, the BPP gave the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) a similar certificate to award contract for “project consultancy services for high voltage transmission lines and substations PC LOT 17, to Messrs Elens Konsult/TAP. The project is expected to cost £2.2 million (N669 million) plus N199 million in local currency.
On the same day, the bureau gave the approval to NDPHC to award contract of £1.6 million (N486 million) plus N294 million to the same company, Messrs Elens Konsult/TAP.
The project was for consultancy services for high voltage transmission lines and sub-stations PC: 15 and 22.
And on May 27, about 72 hours to the end of the Jonathan administration, the BPP also approved €2.2 million (N484 million) plus N153 million to Messrs GOPA International Energy Consultants GmbH. The contract was for project consultancy services for High Voltage Transmission Lines and Sub-stations PC: Lot 5 (T).
Still on the 27th, the NDPHC got approval for the award of $2.5 million (N490 million) plus N655 million. The company was given the approval to award the contract to Joint Venture of Messrs Oska-Jo & Partners Ltd and URS, for consultancy services for High Voltage Transmission Lines and Sub-stations PC: Lot 21-1 & 21-2.
Another contract was also approved for the same company on the same day. The contract which is worth $2.6 million (N600million) plus N713 million is for consultancy services for high voltage transmission Lines and sub-stations PC: LOT 19.
Similarly, another contract for $22 million (N4.3 billion) plus N2 billion was approved for award on the same day.
Daily Trust investigation showed that the contract was to be awarded to Messrs News Engineering Nigeria Ltd, for the completion of Lot 7 132/ 33 KV substation (Awka, 132/33 KV sub-station extension Alausa, 132 Kv Dc transmission Line Alausa-Oke and 132 Quadruple and double circuit from Oke Aro 330/132/33KV substation to Towers No 68 and 43 of the Existing Ikeja West-Oworonshoki 132 TX lines.
Documents available also showed that on May 26, approval was given to the Ministry of Aviation for the award of N1.2 billion contract.
The contract was in favour of Messrs Dari Investment Limited for the upgrade and rehabilitation of Kaduna International Airport. Still on May 26, the bureau gave the same ministry approval to award a contract worth N3 billion to Messrs Interbau Construction Limited, for the upgrade and rehabilitation of Terminal Building at the Port-Harcourt Airport.
On May 19, the BPP cleared request by the Federal Capital Territory Administration for a contract worth N1 billion but asked it to seek FEC approval. The contract was for provision of solid waste collection and management services in six area councils.
Still on May 19, the FCT was cleared to seek approval for a contract worth N60 billion. The contract was to be awarded to Messrs Gilmor Engineering Nig. Ltd, for provision of engineering infrastructure in Jahi District.  And on May 21, the bureau gave the ministry of Water Resources clearance to seek FEC approval for a N106 billion contract for the construction of a dam in Taraba State.
On May 7, the ministry of Aviation was asked to proceed to seek FEC approval for a contract of N467 million. The sum was for upgrade and remodelling of infrastructure in four international airports of Enugu, Kano, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Investigations further showed that on May 15, the ministry of works was cleared for a N2.9 billion. The contract was for the rehabilitation of Osogbo-Ilesha road.