The Sunday Mail
Bidders for multi-million dollar solar projects with potential to generate some 300MW are accusing the State Procurement Board of deliberately delaying announcement of winners.
Government in 2013 invited companies to undertake solar projects with high expectation contractors would have been selected to commence work by the beginning of 2014.
But almost two years down the line, the SPB is yet to announce the winners.
Companies jockeying for the solar projects are Number 17 Metallurgical, China Jiangxi Corporation, Lanlake Power, Afriven Investments, ZTE Corporation and Intratek Zimbabwe.
Some senior executives who spoke to The Sunday Mail Business, but who refused to be named for fear of jeopardising their bids alleged:
“We suspect the delay is meant to frustrate our efforts before companies loyal to some people in the SPB are awarded the tenders.”
Some of the bidders said the SPB should have announced the winning bidders four months after the invitation was made in 2013.
SPB executive chair Mr Charles Kuwaza said the tender was “still work in progress” and indicated that all bids were valid until July 28.
Mr Kuwaza said they had completed the technical assessment of the companies and their financiers.
“Four companies qualified to the next stage of financial evaluation. This is the last stage of evaluation,” he said.
“Having received the initial submission from the accounting officer or managing director of the Zimbabwe Power Company, we are currently evaluating the tender in terms of the Procurement Act and Regulations to confirm whether the ZPC complied with the tender documents.
“This particular tender is still work-in-progress until a point is reached when the board will make a determination.
“At that point, we will advise all bidders and the accounting officer the results of the adjudication.”
Mr Kuwaza declined to comment in detail on the adjudication saying “it is sub-judice until conclusion of the process” and doing so “would be a violation of the Official Secrets Act and certain provisions of the Procurement Act”.
Zimbabwe is experiencing a big electricity shortage with many homes and businesses going for long periods without power.
As of last week, the country was generating around 1 205MW from electricity plants in Kariba, Hwange, Munyati, Harare and Bulawayo against peak demand of 2 100MW bwetween 6am and 9am, and 5pm and 9 pm.
Countries like Angola and South Africa are investing hundreds of millions of US dollars in solar power to offset shortages.
Mr Kuwaza said the SPB was “all too clear regarding the power shortages facing the nation” and “our staff have very clear instructions to assess all details without delay”.
He said anyone displeased with the award process was free to approach the Administrative Court for independent assessment of the “thoroughness and professionalism” with which the SPB handled its responsibilities.
