The Cross River Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has said it has opened Expression of Interest (EOI) bid to recruit a Transaction Advisor for the design and construction of its proposed cement plant.
Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development George O’Ben-Etchi spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Calabar yesterday.
O’Ben-Etchi, who was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Sunday Ita, said the bidding was a fulfilment of the state’s policy on due process.
“This exercise is as a result of Governor Ben Ayade’s initiative to establish a cement plant to reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation, ’’ he said.
He said the federal allocations were largely affected by dwindling oil prices and barely enough to run the state, ‘’ he said.
According to him, the project will benefit the people of Cross River.
O’Ben-Etchi assured bidders that the process would be transparent, adding that only the most qualified would be selected.
Mr John Ubleble, representing Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau (DPPIB), said he was impressed with the ministry’s approach.
He advised those not satisfied with the process to seek redress in the Office of Due Process.
The representative of Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP), Mr Akpama Okon, said BPPP would review, evaluate and monitor activities of the contractors.
Okon said projects that had to do with the BPPP must involve heads of MDAs, who will be properly advised on formalities of the bureau.
The scope of assignment for the advisor will include preparation of a bankable feasibility report; choosing location, clearing, design, construction and furnishing of the cement factory.