Poly Hostel Contract would lead to wasteful use of public funds

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) on Wednesday maintained its stand that the award of 10 Polytechnic Hostel Projects to one small architectural firm would lead to wasteful and inefficient use of public resources.

"We still maintain that it is impossible for a sole proprietor firm, without branches across the country to do a through job," GIA said in a press release signed by its President, Mr Steve Akuffo.

The GIA was reacting to comments by Mr Wilson Tei, Member of the Board of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), to the effect that the Board consulted GIA on the Project.

The release said for a truly professional job to be done the award of the contract for such a project should have involved both pre-contract and post-contract services for all the 10 sites.

The release explained that the pre-contract services involved the preparation of detailed drawings; bills of quantities and other documentation necessary for the successful completion of the Project.

Other essential components are: prepare pre-qualification documents for the contracts; call for pre-qualification proposals from contractors; assist in evaluation of pre-qualification proposals for contractors; prepare post -qualification documents for contractors and evaluation of contractors' detailed proposals.

It said other services needed included the provision of all architectural, engineering, quantity surveying and associated services, as well as site supervision; making available resident site engineers or clerks of work for day-to-day supervision; acting as agents for GETFund Board.

The Architectural firm is also required exercise professional judgement and arbitration in an impartial manner between the client and contractors as provided for in the contract document and issue all information, notices, instruction to the contractors.

The GIA debunked the assertion of Mr Tei that the Institute was part of the process in awarding the contracts.

The statement said, even though, GIA sent representative to a Sub-Committee of the Board, the concerns of its member about the mode of invitation and procurement procedures were overruled by the Board.

It said Mr Tei's claim that the GETFund Board extended an invitation to all architects through a radio announcement for the projects was doubtful and wondered how only three firms, out of 100 architectural firms heard and responded to the announcement.

"First, we do not believe that there was any such public notice, and if there was, the Board should show us the evidence," the statement said.

The statement said, out of the three firms that made submission to the GETFund Board, only one firm, Arc Design Consult was a full member of GIA and registered with Architects Registration Council to practice architecture in Ghana.