Abacha Loot: FG opens technical bid to monitor spending

The federal government has opened technical bids for the monitoring and implementation of the $311m Abacha Loot recently repatriated to Nigeria.

Nigeria had on May 4, announced the receipt of $311 million from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, had said the fund is specially dedicated to the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Abuja-Kano road, and the Second Niger Bridge.

At the opening on Thursday, Ladidi Mohammed, head, asset recovery and management unit, ministry of justice, said the essence of the bid is to select and engage civil society organisations that would oversee the implementation of the projects to ensure transparency.

“This agreement is based on international law and cooperation measures that set out the procedures for the repatriation, transfer, disposition and management of the assets,” she said.

“The government is committed to supporting and assisting in expediting the construction of the three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria in the agreement.

“The projects are the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Abuja – Kano Road, and the Second Niger Bridge.

“The three governments agreed that there should be involvement of the civil society organization because we believe that the civil society are also grass root and they will be able to give independent assessment of what the money is used for.”

Speaking at the opening, Nasiru Bello, representative of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said 17 organisations have already submitted entries for the technical bid.

He said the bids would be handed over to the evaluation committee to ensure that due processes are followed.

“The Due Process Mechanism is to establish and sustain an open transparent and competitive procurement system that is integrity driven”, he said.

Some of the firms which submitted entries include Triump oil and gas limited, International Action Center, GPM Associate; Phenai Penal Consult limited/ Africa in Foundation Infrastructure, Cleen Foundation, Olotu Lekan F. & Co., Center for Social Justice, Foundation for Public Private Partnerships, Nigeria and Global Society for Anti-Corruption.

Others are Anti-Corruption and Research Base Data Initiative, Public and Provate Development Center, Arewa Community and Social Development Network in Nigeria, Quadrante, IBLF Global, PPP Advisories Consortium, Restitution Impact limited and Urban Projects Prospect Integrate Services Limited.