NIGCOMSAT: We’ll Sue Over ‘False’ Report on NIGCOMSAT-2A, 2B Procurement

"The procurement was conducted competitively, transparently and in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act and guidelines of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)." Management 

.... Says "all bidders were subjected to the same predetermined criteria, including technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations and long-term value to the Federal Government.

.... "Faults claims attributed to anonymous “industrial sources” that a particular bidder performed better in certain aspects."

The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has rejected a Daily Post report alleging impropriety in the concluded procurement process for the NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellite programme, describing the publication as “false, misleading and mischievous.”

In a statement signed by its Management and made available in Abuja, NIGCOMSAT said the procurement was conducted competitively, transparently and in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act and guidelines of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The company said all bidders were subjected to the same predetermined criteria, including technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations and long-term value to the Federal Government.

It faulted claims attributed to anonymous “industrial sources” that a particular bidder performed better in certain aspects, stressing that isolated performance in selected areas could not determine the overall outcome of a procurement of such magnitude and complexity.

According to NIGCOMSAT, the successful bidders emerged from a holistic evaluation of the entire procurement framework and not from the preference of any individual or interest group.

The company also dismissed suggestions that participation in the procurement process or previous contractual relationships with NIGCOMSAT conferred entitlement to selection.

“Neither a bidder’s previous relationship with NIGCOMSAT nor its performance under an earlier contract guarantees its emergence in a new process,” it said, adding that the non-selection of a particular bidder could not, by itself, constitute evidence of wrongdoing.

On the report’s reference to Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems and its purported implication for the selection of Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER platform, NIGCOMSAT described the claim as speculative.

It said the report failed to establish any connection between the referenced corporate development and Hughes Network Systems’ technical capacity or ability to deliver the ground infrastructure component.

“Conjecture cannot supplant technical evaluation and contractual due diligence,” the company stated.

On staff welfare, NIGCOMSAT said the current management inherited a salary structure that had remained unrevised for 17 years and had commenced a review through the requisite government approval processes.

It added that management was addressing outstanding obligations relating to official assignments while strengthening internal procedures for authorisation and reimbursement.

NIGCOMSAT further alleged that the report was part of a campaign by vested interests and lobbyists who lost out in the procurement process.

It accused unnamed sources of peddling unverified and defamatory claims and described the publication as a “paid hatchet job” rather than responsible journalism.

The satellite company said it respected the media’s role in holding public institutions accountable but would not tolerate attempts to use the media as a “procurement tribunal” or as a tool for arm-twisting the institution.

It urged anyone with concerns about the procurement process to use the appropriate statutory and procurement review channels rather than resorting to media pressure or unverified claims.

NIGCOMSAT disclosed that its Legal Department was reviewing the Daily Post publication and its alleged defamatory imputations, warning that appropriate legal action would be taken against the sponsors and purveyors of what it described as falsehood.

The company said NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B remained critical to Nigeria’s future digital infrastructure, national security and socio-economic development.

According to the company, the satellites are expected to strengthen communications resilience, expand broadband coverage and improve connectivity in underserved communities.

NIGCOMSAT said it remained committed to protecting Nigeria’s strategic interests and implementing the programme with appropriate technical, financial, legal and project-continuity safeguards.

It added that it stood by the integrity and outcome of the concluded procurement process and would not yield to intimidation or external pressure.