Anambra UBE Chairman Dismisses Allegation Of Abuse, Says Bids Followed Process
Dr Vera Nwadinobi, Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education (ASUBE) has dismissed the allegation of abuse of process in the contract bidding exercises at the board.
Nwadinobi who said this at a news conference in Awka on Wednesday dismissed the allegation of abuse as published in a section of the media.
She said the report which alleged that contracts at the board were shared among cronies and political associates as false, unfair, unbalanced and based on Information provided mischief.
The board Chairman said a total of 1,000 bids were received in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for 200 advertised contracts and all the bids received underwent technical evaluation after which the competent ones were recommended for financial bid opening
She said her board had insisted that due process must be followed and her refusal for some interest to hijack the process as had been in the past was what led to petitions and campaign of calumny against her.
“The attention of the board has been drawn to a publication entitled “Soludo’s 2 years. Tension in Anambra as ICPC other Anti- Graft Agencies Invite Asubeb Over N67b UBEC Contracts”
“In line with the Public Procurement Act (PPA), we advertised for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and received over 1000 bids for barely 200 jobs.
“For several years, just one person was virtually in charge of contracts and he awarded contracts to whomever he wished, he was so powerful and everyone dreaded him including past chairmen and members.
“It is to streamline these positions that we got a waiver from Mr Governor to direct the Head of Service to post procurement officers to the board to ensure that due process is followed in the award of contracts,” she said.
Nwadinobi said it was not true that ASUBEB was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission nor Independent Corrupt Practices Commission as alleged.
She said the ASUBE fund which was a grant from the Federal Government and a matching fund by the Anambra government was still intact as no contract had been awarded.
