MONROVIA, Jan. 21(LINA) – The Ministry of Labor has refuted a local media report stating that the ministry is risking national security documents and data in a “shady bid” for production of residence and work permits.
According to the Front Page Africa newspaper, Labor Minister Cllr. Charles Gibson is allegedly tampering with the bidding process that could see Liberia’s residence and work permits data land the hands of a Dubai-based company that has “no experience in handling national security documents and data.”
The paper claimed that the bid is intended to procure the professional services of an ideally competent and experienced digital international vendor to deliver goods and services for the procurement of digitalized Residence and Work Permits under a contractual agreement beginning FY2020/2021.
The paper said it gathered that the though the Minister of Labor was advised by the Public Procurement Concession Commission, he insisted on giving out the bid forms for US$3,000 and interested companies must have a bank balance of not less than US$15 million or its equivalent in any valid foreign currency.
Speaking on Thursday at MICAT regular press briefing, Cllr. Gibson said the publication is false, misleading and has no iota of truth, stating that following series of discussions by the PPCC, the Ministry of Labor and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the PPCC recommended that a restricted bidding process be embarked upon to identify competent high-tech companies in consonance with the PPCC Act of 2020.
Min. Gibson added that the restricted bidding process, as enshrined in the PPCC laws and regulations, provides that at least six high-tech companies be invited to participate in the bidding process.
« The invitation to bid was extended to six high-tech companies two of which were local businesses, all the six companies acknowledged receipt of the invitation to bid, but only two companies responded by submitting their respective technical and financial proposal, » Cllr. Gibson asserted.
He emphasized that the procurement committee currently evaluating the bids and the process is strictly confidential, noting that upon conclusion those companies that submitted bids will be informed of their status.
He urged media practitioners to be sincere and balanced in their reportage, noting that his office is open and willing to work journalists across the country.
