Gov Eno seeks power to bypass bidding for billion-naira contracts (opens original article in a new tab)

A proposed law in Akwa Ibom State would grant the Direct Labour Committee, chaired by Governor Umo Eno, authority to bypass competitive bidding for large public projects, raising transparency concerns.

• Governor Umo Eno's Direct Labour Committee oversees large public projects and may gain powers to bypass competitive bidding under a proposed law.
• The bill would allow the committee to procure goods and services for 'special intervention' projects without stringent tendering processes, with no defined criteria or limits.
• The legislation leaves procurement spending thresholds to future circulars, raising concerns about accountability and potential abuse.