The Sunday Mail
The Rural Electrification Agency (Rea) says the awarding of a tender for the installation of power lines across the country to a local private company, Alpha Detail, was above board.
This follows reports that US$2,7 million had been misappropriated during the preliminary stages of the deal.
In a statement, Rea chief executive Engineer Joshua Mashamba said the tender was awarded to Alpha Detail as the firm’s quotations were lower than those of other bidders.
The process also complied with requirements of the State Procurement Board, he said.
Eng Mashamba said only US$222 111 has been paid so far to Alpha Detail for completed projects.
“The agency is deeply concerned with the publication that carried inaccurate and distorted facts that are damaging to the agency’s good name and reputation and misled the public.
“The tender was awarded to Alpha Detail based on cheapest quotations and in compliance with the State Procurement Board regulations.
“Payments made to date to Alpha Detail for completed works amount to US$222 111 contrary to the newspaper article that a total of US$2,7 million was paid out.
“Alpha Detail has completed seven projects and is still working on three others. The company has proven that it has adequate capacity and the remaining project out of the 24 contracted project works has not been implemented due to the agency’s funding capacity.”
Eng Mashamba said of the 49 contractors that submitted bids, only 19 were shortlisted, although 18 of those shortlisted produced “unreasonably priced” quotations.
Alpha Detail had the lowest bid at US$365 146 for all the projects under the tender.
Eng Mashamba also disputed allegations that Rea projects were stalling, saying seven of the 10 projects have already been completed.
“All the projects that were completed by Alpha Detail await service connection by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Company as and when the clients would be ready to take up electricity and utilise it at their own premises.”
