The Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) has exonerated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation over a matter that was brought before the Panel by a bidder, Fayia, Unity Garage against the Ministry over the awarding of contract.

In a press release dated 14th July 2023, the IPRP published its findings on the matter that was brought before the Panel.

According to the Panel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation followed due process by widely advertising a bid in local newspapers, for a Framework Contract for the supply of Spare Parts and Maintenance of Vehicles (Lot 1), and also evaluated all applicants before awarding the contract to the successful bidder and those that were not successful in the evaluation stage were notified as well.

During the hearing, the Ministry informed the Panel that the said garage has proven ineffective over the execution of similar contracts in the past due to poor maintenance of vehicles as well as during the cause of repairs seven vehicles were grounded among which were VIP vehicles.

“The Panel finds that the Appellant’s garage space can only house eight vehicles at a time and the recommended winner of the bid had a more spacious garage. The roads leading to the Appellant’s garage were not in good condition. The Panel finds that the Appellant had all documents required, coupled with his lowest bid but was evaluated on the status of his garage, and it is evident that his garage is not spacious…. The Panel, therefore recommends for the MoFAIC to proceed with the contract and award the winner,” the release states.

Reacting to the IPRP verdicts, the Director General & Ambassador at Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Victoria Sulimani commended the Panel for laying the matter to rest in the interest of the public.
“In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we believe in transparency and accountability in whatever we do. This has been proven by the IPRP over this matter,” she said.
Dr. Sulimani admonished journalists and the media to always crosscheck any information with the Ministry before publication.

From the Directorate of Communication,
FSA, MoFAIC, Tower Hill, Freetown
+23276571819.