No let off in BPP, BPE claims over N1.5bn legal fees

Controversy still trails the award of N1.5 billion as legal and consultancy fees for the liquidation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, as the government agencies involved have continued to trade blames as to how the contract was approved.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises BPE had stated, that it got the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) known as Due Process Office for the award of the contract. But the BPP later came out to say it granted no such approval.

Reports say the BPE has again written to the BPP, insisting that it obtained the ‘No Objection’ certificate before approving the contract.

The BPE had claimed that it obtained approval from the Due Process Office for contracts of N929.6m and N500m to Messrs J. K. Gadzama & Co and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation respectively for handling the winding down of the PHCN.

In a letter directed to the Director-General of BPP, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, the privatisation agency insisted that it obtained the required no objection certificate, but the BPP insisted that it withdrew the certificate on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and never revalidated it.

It was further learnt that the BPE expressed disappointment with the BPP for going public with the denial of the contract.

Head, Public Communications of the BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, confirmed that the privatisation agency had written to the BPP to clarify issues.

He added that he did not know the outcome of the letter seeking clarification on the controversial subject.

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