Schools Renovation: 115 local contractors scrabble for jobs as KWSG earmarks N2bn

No fewer than 115 local contractors yesterday took part in an open bid
for the renovation of public schools recently advertised by the Kwara
State Government.
The bid, conducted in the presence of the media and contractors,
followed Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s directive about government
contracts adhering to the public procurement process.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital
Development, Hajia Maryam Garba, said the first phase of the project
involves eight first generation schools in the state which will
undergo comprehensive renovation.
Twenty-three others would have their classrooms and offices renovated
and basic infrastructure supplied to make learning conducive in the
schools, according to the Permanent Secretary.
She said the projects would be executed under 34 lots at the total sum
of N2,004,205,641.01.
“The infrastructure decay/deficit inherited is so enormous and cannot
be immediately remedied (in one fell swoop) due to the huge cost
required.
“The present administration has therefore demonstrated courage in
deciding to institute modalities for the gradual renovation of
dilapidated structures and provision of essential facilities that will
make public schools in the state conducive for teaching and learning.
“I want to reassure all bidders that this ministry is committed to
ensuring that the whole process will be transparent, open, free and
fair,” Garba said.
The exercise involved ministry officials reading out the figures and
other details of the bid, including the technical and financial parts
of the proposals.
Some of the contractors who spoke with newsmen commended the state
government for the transparency of the process and the confidence now
reposed in indigenous contractors.
“The process is transparent. We all saw the opening of the bid.  The
technical and financial bids were opened in our presence and as far as
we are concerned it is transparent. We have the assurance from the
Permanent Secretary that everybody will be equally treated,” Secretary
of the Indigenous Contractors in Kwara State, Maroof Ahmed, said.
“We want to thank the government for patronising the indigenous
contractors because it has its own merits. An indigenous contractor
who wins any of the lots will engage artisans, local drivers,
suppliers and the likes, and these people make the bulk of our
population in Kwara.”
The Vice Chairman of the State chapter of the Nigerian Society of
Engineers, Temitope Odetoye, also lauded the process.
“The process is fair, open and transparent as the bids were open in
the presence of everyone,” he said.
“We have been urging governments to patronise indigenous engineers. We
are very happy this is now happening. It is a welcome idea. It is like
giving back to the system and contribution to socio-economic
development.”
The schools advertised for renovation included Government Secondary
School, Alapa, Asa LGA; Community Secondary School, Baboko, Ilorin
West LGA; Senior Secondary School, Okelele, Ilorin East LGA; Ansar
Islam Secondary School, Ikotun, Oyun LGA; Pategi Secondary School,
Patigi LGA; Government Arabic College, Jebba, Moro LGA; Government
(Unity) Secondary School, Kaiama LGA; Osi Central School, Ekiti LGA;
Offa Grammar School, Offa LGA; and Government Secondary School Omu
Aran, Irepodun LGA.