The Rivers State Ministry of Housing Tenders Board on Friday publicly opened the bids for the sale of the uncompleted Rivers State Government owned building (Formerly known as the Nigerian Stock Exchange building).
Four organisations bidded for the building situated at plot B, (Plot B Orogbum Layout ) in a transparent bidding process that took place at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre, Port Harcourt.
Techno Metal Construction Nigeria Limited, Scenter Escencia Limited, Techno Construction Limited and Estate 2000 Consolidated Limited bidded to purchase the building.
The Rivers State Government had acquired the building from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and publicly placed it for sale through newspaper advertisement.
In an interview, Housing Commissioner, Elder Chinedu Tasie Nwobueze described the process as transparent. He said civil society, professional groups and the media witnessed the opening of bids.
He said: “Everything was transparent. Advertisements were published in major dailies six weeks ago.
“All the four companies that bidded witnessed the bid opening process. Also present were members of the civil society, professional groups and the media.”
He said the Ministerial Tenders Board will put their records together and make recommendations, which will be forwarded to the Rivers State Executive Council for consideration and approval.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Chairman of Ministerial Tenders Board, Mr Felix Odungweru thanked the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for the decision to purchase the building.
He said: “What the Rivers State Governor has done is to acquire and then to sell to whoever is willing to complete the building in line with the original concept of 1717-Storey building.
“We have fulfilled the requirement of advertisement and now we have formally opened the bid before the bidders and other stakeholders.
“All those who bidded fulfilled the criteria set out in the advertisement in three different national newspapers. “
