KIGALI - Tender committee members from four government institutions allegedly released millions of francs in phases that contravene stipulated tender procedures, The New Times has learnt. Findings by the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicate that some firms upon winning initial tenders would make a u-turn and inflate their prices, citing changes on the prevailing market prices.
KIGALI - Tender committee members from four government institutions allegedly released millions of francs in phases that contravene stipulated tender procedures, The New Times has learnt.
Findings by the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicate that some firms upon winning initial tenders would make a u-turn and inflate their prices, citing changes on the prevailing market prices.
In some cases, prices have been inflated by almost 100 percent of the total cost.
Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA) says revived tenders cannot exceed 20 percent of initial quoted price without justification.
Out of 12 institutions investigated, officials from four government bodies were found to have committed criminal mistakes.
The four institutions include Kigali Institution of Education (KIE), Social Security Fund (SSF), Inspectorate of Education and the Nyanza- based Institute of Legal Practice and Development.
"The additional money released was beyond 20 percent. This is not allowed,” Deputy Prosecutor General, Alphonse Hitiyaremye revealed yesterday, adding "government employees must be straightforward in whatever they do.”
Hitiyaremye said economic crime team from the Office of Prosecutor General will soon study the CID report and then charges will be preferred against the accused.
According to Hitiyaremye, the government suspects the leaders from the named institutions could be conniving with firms to cheat the State.
Institutions cleared by CID include Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority, Ministry of Infrastructure, National Commission for the fight against Genocide, Kavumu College in Nyanza, and Students Financing Agency.
It is not yet established how much exactly the government could have lost in the illegal tendering but Prosecution spokesperson Augustin Nkusi had earlier put it around Rwf 2billion.
Tenders in ministries have raised many questions in the past with persistent reports that tendering process is always marred with lack of transparency and fair competition to potential contractors.
Ends