SPB delays Potraz project

telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas citing delays in tender procedures by the State Procurement Board.
Potraz had initially scheduled rolling out the US$10 million project this month.
Passive telecommunication infrastructure refers to shared support infrastructure for the provision of Information Communication Technology. It consists of towers, power back-up and equipment rooms among other equipment. Potraz deputy director-general Mr Alfred Marisa said there has been slow progress mainly due to the board’s tender procedures.
“Last year we made representations to have the Universal Services Fund projects dealt with through special tenders but the request was turned down, so we have to follow the wishes of the SPB,” said Mr Marisa.
He indicated that the SPB tender was split into two components, which are the technical and the financial bid. The tenders closed on March 15.
Mr Marisa said they had already completed the evaluations on the technical bids and they have since returned them to SPB.
SPB is still to advise Potraz of the winners whose financial bids will then be opened and evaluated before the board. He added that it is possible that they might get to June before the project commences.
State Procurement Board chairman Mr Charles Kuwaza, however, said SPB carries out its duties following the procedures indicated by the Procurement Act.
“The Procurement Act is a law of the country and it is what we administer,” he said.