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BCC cancels controversial Easipark parking tender

by Alois Sibanda
29 Feb 2012 at 08:33hrs | Views
Bulawayo City Council has cancelled a parking tender that would have racked in huge revenue for the financially struggling municipality.

Current, most motorists are parking in the Central Business District for free.

Council advertised today (Wednesday) saying it has cancelled the tender which was to run for a five year period.

No timeframe was given when the controversial tender would be re-opened for bidding.

"The City of Bulawayo Municipality invites proposals from professional companies/ individuals for its Parking Management System in the Central Business District….Tenders will be evaluated according to Bulawayo Municipal procurement police and any regulations promulgated under this policy shall apply in the adjudication and awarded to the tender" reads the canceled notice from Town Clerk Middleton Nyoni.

Tender documents were to be obtained from February 26 to March 28 with a non refundable $200 paid.

Early February councilors rejected the tender by South African-based company Easipark and ordered a re-tender saying the whole process was flawed and marred by irregularities.

This comes amid revelations that the company that was awarded the tender, Megalith, was linked to council director of engineering services, Engineer Simela Dube.

The tender for a new parking system in the city has been dogged by controversy with the local authority ordering a re-tender after Easipark was alleged to had been canvassing for favours among councillors.

According to February council minutes, councillors resolved that the tender be re-issued after a month as the whole process was marred by controversy and irregularities.

"Allowing the Easipark tender would not be fair to some tenderers who accepted the advice of the engineering services department and were not allowed to buy documents after missing the briefing.

"The town clerk noted the controversy over the issue and said should council decide to defer the matter, the re-tender should be expedited," read part of the minutes.

However, council has decided to cancel the tender.

Source - Byo24News