The Former Senior Procurement Officer and Secretary to the Government Tender Board, Abraham Wilson told the court today that the key health tender documents for CTN 66/2011 are missing.
Wilson took the stand as a State witness in the trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma.
The document CTN 66/2011 relates to the procurement of laboratory equipment for rural health centres.
Wilson says that on the 23rd of April and on the 27th of April 2011, two advertisements were issued, and the tender closed on the 18th of May the same year.
He says he had raised concerns regarding CTN 66/2011, advising that a technical evaluation committee be arranged and that justification for recommendations on preferred suppliers be clearly documented.
Wilson highlighted that he does not recall receiving any board letter and agreed that waivers are granted for urgent matters.
He explained that he was responsible for opening the tender box in the presence of all bidders, after which all submissions were stamped to ensure no additional documents could be inserted.
Wilson further says that when a tender request is received, checks are made to confirm that funds are available.
He says the Tender Board can approve or reject tenders, or request further information.
He says once a decision is made, a letter is sent to the procuring agency and both successful and unsuccessful bidders are informed as part of ensuring transparency.
Dr Sharma faces two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a person employed in the public service.
Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing the course of justice.
