The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has responded to erroneous assertions made by former New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairman Freddie Worsemao Blay that his son’s offer for the purchase of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels was denied.
Mr. Blay had alleged in a media interview that his son’s company, Spartan Ives Limited, offered up to $200 million to acquire the 60 percent stake in the hotels, but he was denied the opportunity by the Trust.
The board chair of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), however, did not disclose why his son was not successful in his bid to acquire the properties after bidding with about 12 other companies.
However, the Director General of SSNIT, Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo, responded by describing it as inaccurate and explaining why his Freddie Blay’s son bid failed.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, July 8, 2024, he said the claims made by Mr. Blay cannot be substantiated.
He told journalists that this procurement methodology was based on cost and quality, and what that means is that SSNIT assessed the technical and financial proposals submitted by bidders.
He disclosed that first, bidders are required to submit their technical proposals, and the proposals are opened before everyone goes through an evaluation panel. They are then scored, and once they are scored and the bidder passes, then their financial proposals are assessed.
Spartan Ives failed the technical examination step, thus their financial proposal was not even evaluated, he explained.
“That is the process, and that is what the law requires us to do, and we did exactly that. Spartan IVs did not get past that stage. Their technical proposal was weak; they scored below the required 50%, and so their financial proposal was not even assessed. The envelope was not even opened. It was returned to them. That is what the law requires us to do, and we did so. All of these are in the minutes, and if there is anyone who wants to challenge them, we are very happy to oblige.
So to say that SSNIT received an offer of $150 to $200 million and turned it down is not accurate. With all due respect, it is simply not accurate because the offer was never made. The offer was never even opened. They failed at the technical stage, and therefore this assertion that they offered 150 to 200 million can’t be substantiated. In fact, they can say anything they want. But it is simply not accurate to say that SSNIT made an offer of $150 to $200 million, which we turned down. It is not accurate and a bit desigenous to state that as a fact.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
