Tongues have been wagging in some quarters over the award of a contract for the building of a Mosque by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The contract was awarded on December 10, 2020 to El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nigeria Limited with a completion period of eight weeks with effect from the date of the letter of award.
The award of the curious contract was contained in a letter with reference number FMA/PROC/AHS/SIP/2020/7742/1 signed by Deputy Director, Procurement, Musa A. Musa for the “Honourable Minister”.
Entitled “AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FRIDAY MOSQUE”, it read: “I am directed to inform you that the Ministerial tenders Board at its 7th meeting held on 7th December, 2020 approved the award of contract for the Construction of Friday Mosque to your Company at the total contract sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira) only, inclusive of VAT with a completion period of eight (8) weeks, with effect from the date of this letter.
:You are therefore, required to indicate in writing within three (3) days of receipt of this offer, your acceptance to the Office of the Director Procurement, FMARD, Abuja or otherwise, the Offer will be considered lapsed.
“Therefore, you are to liaise with the Director (Animal Husbandry Services) for adequate supervision of the Contract and the Director (Legal Services) for signing of the Contract Agreement.
“Please note that the Contract is not transferable and the cost is fixed, firm and request for price variation will not be entertained.
“It is expected that the Contract will be executed in strict compliance with the BOQ/Specifications and in line with relevant clauses in the Bidding Document and Contract Agreement.
“Congratulations.
“Musa A. Musa
Deputy Director, Procurement
For: Honourable Minister”
Analysts have questioned the nexus between Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mosque.
Was the N30m provides in the budget for that purpose and if it was, why did the National Assembly approve building of Mosque in Agriculture budget?
It would appear that those behind the contract, if it was eventually executed wanted the deal done as quickly as it was possible.
The letter awarded indicated eight weeks period for completion of the Mosque building without room for variations in cost, among other specific terms indicated in the letter of award of the contract.
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