FG cancels oil, gas pre-shipment tender

In a bid to sanitize the oil and gas sector, the Federal government has ordered the immediate cancellation of the tendering process for the engagement of pre-shipment inspection and monitoring agents for oil and gas. A statement from the office of the Minister
of Finance Kemi Adeosun says that the decision was taken following the receipt of numerous complaints and a petition regarding alleged irregularities in the process.

“The sheer volume of complaints and the wide range of sources they emanated from had raised a sufficient level of concern around the process to warrant a full cancellation rather than a suspension. This administration stands for transparency and accountability and it is therefore important that all procurement and tendering exercises must be undertaken in accordance with best practices.”the statement read

President Buhari had in June, ordered the finance ministry under the former permanent secretary, Anastasia Nwaobia, to commence the process of engaging pre-shipment inspection and monitoring agents. Upon the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement, a selective tendering process was initiated under which 65 companies were selected and invited to bid.