Chinese Govt in talks with Niger state to avert litigation

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Chinese Government is in talks with Niger State Government to avert possible litigation over activities of illegal mining perpetrated by some of its expatriates companies across the state, and especially at Zuma Rock.

At the end of the meeting, the Governor-elect, Umar Mohammed Bago, who spoke on behalf of the state government, disclosed that the Chinese delegation, led by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, is in the state to discuss ways to ‘settle out of Court’.

He said activities of the Chinese illegal mining companies have caused inestimable damage to Nigeria’s National monument at Zuma Rock and directly affecting the host communities in the area.

The Governor-elect noted that, although the Chinese government has been a mutually beneficial partners, the state government could not fold its arms and watch helplessly as it’s resources are being depleted albeit illegally and environmentally degraded perpetually.

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. CUI Jianchun said he was in the state to jointly discuss with the state government on how to curb and resolve the issue of illegal mining by some Chinese companies and strengthen their bilateral relationship.

The Chinese Ambassador disclosed that the two sides have agreed to broaden economic ties hoping that, after inauguration of the new administration, it would open more frontiers for business and development partnership.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name with Form BN1 is also acceptable for Services b. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificates of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2023; c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above); d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above); e. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023; f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31/12/2023 or valid Certificate issued by BPP. g. Sworn Affidavit:

- disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;

- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;

- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings; h. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years - 2020, 2021 & 2022; i. Reference Letter from a reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; j. Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON etc.; k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs (in size, nature & complexity) executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects; l. Lot 3: List of Plants/Equipment with proof of

Tender documents are to be obtained from office of the Head of Procurement Unit, Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State. Completed tenders are to be returned along with evidence of payment of a non-refundable Tender fee of Ten Thousand (N10,000.00) Naira only payable to Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare through the CBN e-payment platform (REMITA) in any reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS (GOODS AND WORKS)

Prospective bidders are to Submit both Technical and Financial Bid documents (1 original and a photocopy) to be submitted in separate sealed envelope and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid” respectively Thereafter, the two sealed envelopes should be inserted together in a bigger sealed envelope and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State and clearly marked with the name of the project and lot number.

Furthermore, the reverse side of each sealed envelope should have the name and address of the bidder. The sealed tampered envelope should be dropped in the designated Tender Box located at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare Conference Room not later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 27th June, 2023. Bidders are to sign the bid submission register in the office of the Head of Procurement FUHSA, as the university will not be held liable for wrongly submitted bids.

6.0 SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST(EOI)

Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents separated by dividers and well arranged. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelopes and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State and clearly marked with the name of the project and lot number. Similarly, the other side of the envelope should have the name and address of the bidder and the submission should be not later than 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, 13th June, 2023 at Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare Board Room

7.0 OPENING OF EOI AND TECHNICAL BIDS

The EOI and the Technical Bids will be publicly opened immediately after the deadlines for submission at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, 13th June, 2023 and 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 27th June, 2023, respectively, at the Conference Room, Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State. Bidders, Civil Society Organizations and interested members of the general public are hereby invited.

8.0 GENERAL INFORMATION a. Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder; b. Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened c. Bidders should not bid for more than (2) Lots. Contravention is automatic dis-qualification d. Goods & Works: Only the Pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bid opening, while the financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened. e. Services: Only shortlisted Consultants will be invited at a later date for collection of Request for Proposals; f. All costs will be borne by the Bidders. g. The Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, is not bound to pre-qualify/shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. Signed:

Performances: Ministers of transportation leave office in high spirits

By Albert Akota

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo and the Minister of State, Prince Ademola Adegoroye at the weekend in Abuja bid farewell to the ministry after spending 10 months in office with good performances.

Speaking at the valedictory session held in their honor, Sambo said that the Ministry has been a wonderful place to work also difficult because the ministry has many agencies under it.

He noted time spent was impactful, productive, commitment and exemplary leadership that enable him meet his target for the betterment of the nation.

Sambo revealed that an aspect of the Ministry he is very passionate about was the Inland Waterways that Nigeria need to engage.

“I am so passionate about Inland Waterways and I know what it means to have effective Inland Waterways Transportation, it is the cheapest way of moving large goods. God did not bless Nigeria with 850 kilometers of coastline and about 10,000 kilometers of navigable waterways for nothing.

“God also blessed us with fertile land, large deposits of minerals including crude oil. We have one of the largest deposits of gold in the world. This country has something it is not tapping”, he said.

Speaking earlier, Minister of State, Adegoroye, pointed out that their tenure was a bit short, but thanked God for the opportunity to have served.

“It has been a wonderful 10 months and if I leave today it is with mixed feelings but, I’m happy that our assignment has been completed”, he said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Magdalene Ajani said that the Ministers were outstanding because they came into office and hit the ground running with accelerated speed in achieving the low hanging fruit.

She lauded them for their efforts in pushing the ministry forward, adding that they have shown leadership in diversity.

She lauded them for their efforts in pushing the ministry forward, adding thn diversity.