A lab superintendent at the CWM Hospital has testified that Hospital Engineering and Consultancy Ltd (Hospineer) was not among the three recommended bidders for a major medical equipment tender, CTN 153.
Testifying before Justice Usaia Ratuvili, Ravendra Prasad stated that Hospineer was eliminated from Tender 153/2011 for failing to meet specific technical requirements, most notably the requirement for an “open system”.
On the other hand, Roche Diagnostics – one of the three final bidders – was recommended during the final evaluation stage because it satisfied all criteria, including the provision of an open system “if required”.
The State is alleging that Dr Neil Sharma intentionally failed to comply with statutory requirements for tenders stipulated under Procurement Regulation 2010 for the Ministry of Health Tender CTN 153/2011 in favour of the bidder, Hospineer.
While co-accused, former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum are accused of abusing their position by granting the waiver.
Meanwhile, out of the eight remaining witnesses, the court heard that both the State and the defence have agreed to tender the evidence of four.
The matter will be called today. The prosecution intends to close its case by next Wednesday with its remaining witnesses.
