The Shs260 billion tender for the proposed new chambers of Parliament has been hit by a fresh row. A whistleblower has petitioned the Inspector General of Government alleging that two companies have been denied a chance to participate in the new procurement process. However, the allegations have been dismissed by the Parliament’s director of communications Mr Chris Obore as intended to delay the project.

The IGG had in May asked the Public Procurement Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) to investigate the tendering process after she received complaints that the process was marred with graft.

In the fresh complaint, it is alleged that out of the six companies which submitted their bids, only four were considered for bidding thus unfairly eliminating two. The companies shortlist are Roko Construction Ltd, Seyani Brothers and Company Ltd, CRJE (East Africa) Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT) Ltd and China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC). Seyani Brothers is the company currently constructing the Parliament Parking and Basement.

The whistle blower alleges the move aims at eliminating companies that would have competed favourably and pushed contract prices down thus saving taxpayers money. PPDA had earlier recommended revision of the bid document to ensure only companies with capacity bid to avoid shoddy work.

However, the new complaint alleges that some of the the PPDA’s recommendations have not been considered. The dossier further claims that capacity requirements like company turn-over, resources and financial strength have been put very low, something that can enable weak and inexperienced companies to win the process.

Mr Obore said on Saturday that they had not received a copy of the complaint and insisted Parliament is following PPDA’s advice.

“But if they are petitioning for the sake of delaying the project, you tell the petitioners that much as they need money, Parliament needs the new chamber most importantly,” he said.

In the new petition, the complainant wants the IGG to direct Parliament to shortlist all companies and allow them compete until the best bidder is awarded the project.