The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is still awaiting a formal response from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) regarding the contentious contract awarded to Tepui Inc for the Belle Vue Pump Station, which has raised significant concerns over potential irregularities in the procurement process.
In a follow-up letter sent on September 19, 2024, to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, the PPC sought his intervention to expedite the NDIA’s response. The urgency stems from a previous investigation that highlighted major breaches in the evaluation process for the contract, valued at approximately $865 million.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Mustapha said the NDIA should have provided the documentation to the PPC already. He urged this newspaper to contact NDIA CEO Lionel Wordsworth for an update. However, attempts to do so have been futile.
The controversy first emerged in July 2024, when the PPC expressed dissatisfaction over the NDIA’s lack of communication regarding the award to Tepui, a company reportedly unqualified for such a significant project. According to the PPC’s report dated April 16, 2024, Tepui, established less than a year prior, lacked the necessary experience and documentation to justify its bid.
Key concerns raised during the PPC’s investigation included Tepui’s failure to submit an audited financial statement and adequate proof of essential equipment. In a letter dated June 13, 2023, Tepui acknowledged its lack of past project experience, stating, “Our company was registered in August 2022 and has now commenced the process of bidding for projects.” Despite these admissions, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) deemed Tepui’s bid responsive, citing precedents of awarding contracts to companies without similar construction experience.
The procurement process faced further scrutiny when APNU+AFC MP David Patterson filed a formal complaint, leading to the PPC’s investigation. The findings indicated that both the NDIA and NPTAB were slow to respond and often provided incomplete documentation, hindering a thorough review.
Tepui’s principal Mikhail Rodrigues has been the focus of criticism owing to his limited experience in construction, raising questions about the NDIA’s decision-making process. The PPC’s recommendations included close monitoring of Tepui’s performance, with a cautionary note that the contract should be terminated if any breaches occurred.
The PPC had said that once a contract was signed, legal limitations restrict its ability to revoke or modify agreements, complicating any efforts to rectify the situation.