Witness says Dr Sharma said he would use his ministerial powers regarding Health Tender

The Former Procurement Officer of the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services, Solomoni Suguta says he does not remember sending the recommendations of the Tender Evaluation Committee in relation to Health Tender CTN 66/2011 to the Fiji Procurement Office.

Suguta took the stand as a State witness in the health tender trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma.

He says he and his colleague were summoned by Dr Sharma, who questioned why Hospineer was not awarded the tender.

They explained that the decision had been made by the Tender Evaluation Committee.

Suguta says that Dr Sharma asked them to leave the documents with him, stating that he would use his ministerial powers.

The witness says Hospineer did not qualify for any of the seven items evaluated by the Committee due to various reasons.

Suguta says they were shocked that Dr Sharma was aware of the information, as committee members sign confidentiality agreements.

He says he does not know what happened to the documents afterward.

The Health Tender CTN 66/2011 relates to the procurement of laboratory equipment for rural health centres.

He also says he has no knowledge of the waiver.

Suguta says that after the waiver, tender for four items were awarded to Hospineer, totaling USD $208,000, and an advance payment of FJD $375,476.26 was made.

Meanwhile, former Senior Procurement Officer and Secretary to the Government Tender Board, Abraham Wilson also told the court yesterday that key health tender documents for CTN 66/2011 are missing.

Suguta says that during Committee meetings, members verify all bidding documents and confirm the relationships between manufacturers and suppliers.

He explains that at the final stage, only bidders who are not eliminated during the administrative and technical evaluation stages are assessed on cost factors.

He adds that the Committee then makes its final recommendation to the Fiji Procurement Office.

He says the Tender Evaluation Committee is important because it ensures that the final product meets all requirements.

The trial will continue at 2pm.

Dr Sharma is charged with two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a person employed in the public service.

Voreqe Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing the course of justice.