KARACHI: Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) in its stand has termed that the tendering process and SPPRA rules and regulations have not followed in the procurement of 100 meters snorkel.
It is mentioned in a notice sent by SPPRA to Niaz Soomro, Project Director of Local Government (LG).
Procurement order has been finalized after accepting tender no PD/LGP/FP/001/12-16 for supply of one hydraulic Aerial Platform (Snorkel type) 100 meters to the supplier.
SPPRA has the right to cancel this tender deal between the supplier and the buying authority, the letter stated.
The Assistant Director of SPPRA on a complaint received to this authority on November 16, 2016 from Metal Engineering Works (pvt) Limited vide letter ref.MET/KMC-TNDR-RQST/2016, November 5, 2016 on the subject termed that procurement of snorkel was being made in violation of SPPRA rules and the tendering process.
First notice was served to Niaz Soomro under AD (A)/SPPRA/30400 (Complaint-PD/LGP) 2016-17/9198, November 29, 2016, signed by Assistant Director (Assessment).
Project Director was directly advised to take appropriate action under 31 SPP Rule, 2010 (amended 2013) and address the grievances of the complainant and furnish decision of complaint redresses committee at the earliest, stated the letter.
It was the sole responsibility of procuring agency to make all public procurements by observing SPPRA rules and regulations in letter and spirit. Non-compliance of Sindh Public Procurement Rule 2010 shall render for case of procurement as ‘mis-procurement’.
In the letter SPPRA pointed out 13 clauses of laws which were not kept in view while tendering bids and other related process.
In another letter from SPPRA, the authority has asked Niaz Soomro that why was he also not following the described rules and regulations in projects worth Rs 10 billion under Annual Development Program and Special Projects in Karachi.
Projects which have no process clarity including building of roads, underpasses, flyovers, parks, playgrounds, streetlights, water and sewerage project, Dhabeji Pumping Station project and Pipri Filter Plant project.
Monitoring process is poor and is not according to the standards of rules in Mega Development Program Monitoring Projects under SPPRA rules 2010 and 2013.
Advertisements appeared and are still appearing in print media for tenders, also lack transparency and are opaque, letter added.
SPPRA said blacklist contractors are participating in the tender process while re-examining of mega projects process is also
not in place.
The complaints of private confide contractors should also be given due importance during the process and time of executing development projects, SPPRA concluded.
Earlier; the Sindh Minister for Local Government had canceled the tender for purchase of snorkel and asked Niaz Soomro to announce a new tender inquiry in this regard.
During the tender process, two companies made bids for snorkels. Leapfrog Solutions Pakistan Private Limited and Meraj Limited both took part in the process. Leapfrog won the tender for its lower rates which were around Rs 495 million.
The high rise buildings have no rescue facility and in case if they catch fire accidentally in city , Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has only three snorkels and they also need repair, the city needs about 15 snorkels, fire experts have opined.