Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The bid opening process for the anticipated 2023 sale of assets forfeited to the federal government has begun under the direction of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
This was said in a statement made in Abuja by the agency’s spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua.
She cited Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, Chairman of the ICPC, who pledged in his opening remarks that the exercise would be transparent.
The auctioneers were thanked by Owasanoye for their assistance and given the assurance that the commission will uphold its promise to ensure a fair and open procedure.
The head of the ICPC, who was accompanied by Board member Dr. Louis Mandama, emphasized that this was the first exercise for 2023 and promised that the second exercise will take place in the second part of the year.
He claimed that because there would be no batching of assets, the method of asset allocation in the current stage would be different.
He promised that while working with the technical team to assess the assets, the auctioneers would be permitted to visit and look at them.
The head of the ICPC continued by stating that any grievances raised by the five bidders following the publication of results on the commission’s website had been taken care of.
The bids were sorted, marked, and carefully watched at the beginning of the exercise as the opening of the bids showed the number of properties bid for and their cost, which were verified by the auctioneers.
Alhaji Bello Nasir, who represented the Bureau of Public Procurement, and Mr. Paul Odokara, who represented the Civil Society Organizations, both expressed pleasure with the exercise.
They praised the exercise’s transparency and hoped that its results will unquestionably satisfy the requirements set down for the bidding.
As they warned the auctioneers to follow instructions for simple identification of their bids to avoid any disqualification, they also urged other agencies to take a page from the ICPC.
Truth Live News reports that the exercise, which was held at the commission’s headquarters, had 25 auctioneers in attendance.