…Presidency directs suspension of project.
By Jatmak Solomon,Jos
The management of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), is battling to extricate itself from a purported scandal over the award of N118M Amenity Ward contract at the permanent site of the tertiary hospital at Lamingo, Jos
The humongous contract which has reportedly sparked off crisis in the institution, has to do with a contractor that was technically schemed out of a bidding process. The contractor, Dantonic Investment Limited, has refused to let the matter lie low as he petitioned the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), alleging violation of the procurement act.
This is as it was gathered that the presidency through the BPP has directed the immediate suspension of the project pending the review of the bidding process.
Part of the complaints is hinged on the fact that the contract was awarded to a printing press as against a construction firm.
The Jos University Teaching Hospital JUTH which recorded two major strikes by Resident doctors and Health workers over an alleged poor management, is now faced with a serious credibility issue over the manner the contract was awarded.
Already, the chairman of the hospital board, Mr. Barth Nwibe, has distanced the board from the contract as he directed Middlebelt Reporters inquiries to the Chief Medical Director, saying that the board was not involved in the process.
Nibe said; “I am aware of the complaint from a contractor, which I forwarded to the CMD, but the board was not involved in the award of the contract.” On his own part, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Edmond Banwat, confirmed the assertion of the Board’s chairman, stressing that the Procurement Act did not involve the board in contracts awards.
According to Prof. Banwat; “In the Act, the boards are not part of the procurement process.”
However, in spite of the CMD’s claim that the board is not involved in contract award, checks by Middlebelt Reporters indicate that Article 7 of the Act establishing the board of teaching hospitals, section ( 1) a, b, and c, stipulates that the board is empowered to; “Equip, maintain and operate the hospital so as to provide facilities for diagnosis, curative, promotion and rehabilitative service in medical treatment,” and; “To construct, equip, maintain and operate such clinic, outpatient departments, laboratories, research or experimental stations and other like institutions…,”
Further findings revealed that the Bureau for Public Procurement has written to one of the contractors assuring that the contract will be suspended
pending the review of the process.
In a letter dated February 03, 2020, referenced, BPP/S.1/CCM/20/VoL.1/013, and addressed to Dantonic Investment limited and signed by Olanrewaju Yusuf Olaleye, deputy director complains, certification and monitoring, said a letter has been forwarded to the Jos University Teaching Hospital JUTH management to suspend further action pending a review of the process.
The letter reads; “The Bureau has forwarded your complaint to the hospital directing it to suspend any further action on the procurement, and forward all the relevant procurement document for independent review by it in line with the provisions of section 54(4)(a) of the public procurement act, 2007.”
When contacted, the Managing Director of Dantonic Investment Limited, Mr. Onah Christian Onaura, confirmed receipt of the BPP letter over alleged violation of the Procurement Act by the JUTH
management.
Onaura said; “I have written the Jos University Teaching Hospital JUTH management drawing their attention to the violation, of the BPP Act, because I posted the lowest amount of N114,095,168.25, but the contract was awarded to Andex Press, who posted the highest amount of N118,789,516.2.
“That was why I wrote a complaint to the BPP, drawing their attention for further action, yet the Jos University Teaching Hospital JUTH management went ahead with the execution of the project.”
Additional checks by Forefront News, revealed that ANDEX PRESS & ALLIED SERVICES LIMITED that was awarded the contract is registered by Corporate
Affairs Commission with registration 745364 as a printing press that specialized in printing services and not a construction firm.
However, the Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), insisted that the process was transparent and in line with laid down rules, adding that contractors not satisfied have the right to make complaints.
The CMD also said that his office has not received any letter from the BPE calling for the suspension of the project.
He said; “The law says anybody who is not satisfied will be shown the template of the analysis. A staff from there came and was satisfied with the analysis.
“Any complain we receive, we give it attention because we run a transparent process and you might post the lowest price but after the technical aspect, you might not be awarded the contract.
Legal minds have however discredited the CMD’s claim, saying that the non-inclusion of the board in the award of the contract is a fraud which can attract prosecution.
MiddleBelt Reporters 