In a shocking turn of events, Eric Akoi, the former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has come forward with detailed allegations against Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA) Hon. Bill McGill Jones. Akoi, who was dismissed from his position under contentious circumstances, has provided a comprehensive rebuttal to Jones’ claims regarding the controversial Budget Management System contract. In an exclusive statement, Akoi outlines the sequence of events leading up to his dismissal and argues that his refusal to engage in questionable procurement practices led to his ousting.
The Budget Management System Contract Controversy
The core of Akoi’s allegations centers around the Budget Management System contract. Originally negotiated at a cost of US$180,000, the contract’s cost was inexplicably increased to US$200,000 by DMA Jones. Akoi asserts that this increase was both unnecessary and unjustified. According to Akoi, the service provider had agreed to perform the required services for US$180,000 within the same turnaround time, negating any reason for a cost increase.
“When the documents were presented to Hon. Jones for his signature on February 9, 2024, he refused, insisting that he needed to know what was available for him before signing,” Akoi states. He claims that Jones subsequently demanded an increase to US$240,000, which Akoi declined. Jones then lowered his demand to US$220,000 and finally settled on US$200,000, which Akoi still refused to approve without written justification.
Allegations of Misapplication of the PPC Act
Akoi accuses Jones of misapplying the amended and restated Public Procurement and Concessions (PPC) Act of 2010 to justify the cost increase. Jones cited Section 64, subsection 2b, which pertains to the procurement of goods and works, not consultancy services like the Budget Management System contract. Akoi clarifies that this section is relevant only when the bid price exceeds the available budget, a condition that was not met in this case.
Instead, Akoi references Section 56 (1) of the PPC Act, which governs sole source procurement. He explains that the procurement unit had negotiated with RoviaGate for a cost of US$180,000, and the documents were prepared accordingly. Akoi insists that Jones’ insistence on increasing the contract cost was for personal gain and was inconsistent with the law.
Pattern of Favoritism and Retaliation
In his statement, Akoi also highlighted a pattern of favoritism in awarding contracts, noting that all IT-related contracts had been awarded to the same service provider, despite them not being the most responsive bidders. This, he argues, further exemplifies the questionable procurement practices under Jones’ administration.
Following his refusal to comply with Jones’ demands, Akoi was suspended on March 6, 2024, ostensibly for issues related to the procurement of staff buses. Akoi contends that this suspension was baseless, as an internal audit investigation had cleared him of any wrongdoing. He believes that his suspension and subsequent dismissal were retaliatory actions for his refusal to engage in procurement irregularities.
Documentation and Evidence
Akoi has provided extensive documentation to support his claims, including:
- Documents for the bidding process for staff buses.
- The promissory note (contract) signed by Duke Carmax, Inc. and DMA Jones following the investigation.
- The written instruction from Jones directing the increase in the contract amount.
- These documents, Akoi asserts, unequivocally demonstrate that his dismissal was unjust and motivated by a personal vendetta rather than any professional misconduct.
The Impact of Corruption and the Call for Accountability
Akoi’s revelations highlight a deeper issue of corruption within the MFDP. The wrongful dismissal of a procurement director who refused to engage in unlawful activities underscores the challenges faced by public servants committed to integrity and transparency. The allegations against Jones, if proven true, reflect a serious breach of public trust and highlight the urgent need for accountability within the ministry.
