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http://www.etiame.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=139:affaire-de-phosphate-carbonate-de-lopacite-autour-des-appels-doffres&catid=3:contenu&Itemid=2

Translated article using google below.

Togo: Phosphate Carbonate: Tenders very opaque
Saturday, September 3, 2011 24:48


All last week, his colleagues were at the school of "public procurement and delegation of public services" in a large hotel in Lome. This was to equip the new procedures for public procurement that profess transparency, fairness, good governance brief. But in contrast, at the same time frame is a curious case of contracting for hiring a company to operate the Togolese phosphate carbonate.

We were part of those who doubted the transparency in this matter. After traveling a few texts which Alternative was copying, it is clear that, fortunately or unfortunately, the texts seem to give us reason. According to Article 16 of Decree No. 2011-059/PR which defines the thresholds for the award, publication, control and approval of procurement, and other related texts, there is a requirement of the state departments to bring to the attention of the public the content of such contracts by bidding at the national and community levels.

Depending on whether the market size is large or small it is sometimes recommended that the appeal covers only the national scope. Naturally, given the size of the market for the exploitation of phosphate carbonate for several decades, one can not avoid publishing the notice at the community level or internationally. But what is curious is that the national scope seems rather to have been "avoided". No trace of a tender of its kind was found in national publications. Only in the mouth of the minister of mines that we learn that international tender was launched. According to sources, the process was even started, in secret, several months before the press did grasp of the case. That's after we learn that bidding was under way.

And managed the tender process has excluded the Togolese traders, at least those who are not fortunate enough to have "big ears". But worse is the "public" (people) who is deprived of important information that engages the life of the Togolese People as a whole. The volume of ore, the expected duration of operation, the resources that will stir the operation, make this case a matter of state, but not only reserved for those who wrongly confiscated for themselves the attributes and prerogatives of the state.

While we talk of transparency in the mining sector could have been much to report on this invitation to tender and its content in order to begin to shed light on the ins and outs of this case, the which, of course, would cut short any suspicion. But then again, it seems to cover this market with a veil opaque, away from prying eyes. To the extent that it is serious about managing this issue in a transparent and above all, we want to really correct the mistakes of the past in the mismanagement of mineral resources in our country, we should have played for transparency and involvement even local to this file.

This is not far to agree with those who believe firmly that it is an affair arranged between friends and the famous tender talked about would be a procedural protocol.

Is it a limited consultation, as is done frequently in the construction sector? The Internal Market Committee of the Ministry of Energy and Mines was it associated? If not, what structure the tender pilot? What are the specifications? Many gray areas that public authorities should seek to clarify.

Stay tuned.