Bidding for plantation timber underway

Accra, April 21, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minster of Lands and Forestry, on Friday said competitive bidding for plantation timber in forest reserves was an impetus to Government's commitment to good governance, transparency and rule of law.
"The objective of the new system of allocation is to enhance the benefits from the resource for all beneficiaries namely, landowners, forest communities, industry and the nation." Professor Fobih made the observation at the fourth competitive bidding for plantation timber in forest reserves in Accra. The first bidding was held in 2004 and initiated by the Forestry Commission is to ensure transparency in the award of concessions in plantations.
Prof. Fobih urged prospective bidders to comply strictly with the rules and procedures for a successful outcome.
He appealed to bid winners to meet their financial and social obligations within specified time frame after receiving their notice of grant, adding, "this is because we want to maintain the credibility of the competitive bidding system and ensure that our forests are managed and utilized on sustainable basis."
The Sector Minister noted that since the introduction of competitive bidding, no petition had been received from any competitor on the procedure and award of contracts.
He said both winning and losing companies always left the bidding premises well aware that the rules had been objectively and transparently applied and the bid winner was determined purely on the basis of the rules.
Mr Robert Bamfo, Head, Timber Rise Evaluation Committee, Forestry Commission said areas earmarked for bidding were locations in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo forest reserves.
He said 67 companies that participated in the bidding were ranked according to their bidding price and the winner would only be allocated with a lot to ensure equity.
Mr Bamfo said about 80 per cent Ghanaians had won the bidding since the commencement of the new process in 2004.

Accra, April 21, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minster of Lands and Forestry, on Friday said competitive bidding for plantation timber in forest reserves was an impetus to Government's commitment to good governance, transparency and rule of law.
"The objective of the new system of allocation is to enhance the benefits from the resource for all beneficiaries namely, landowners, forest communities, industry and the nation." Professor Fobih made the observation at the fourth competitive bidding for plantation timber in forest reserves in Accra. The first bidding was held in 2004 and initiated by the Forestry Commission is to ensure transparency in the award of concessions in plantations.
Prof. Fobih urged prospective bidders to comply strictly with the rules and procedures for a successful outcome.
He appealed to bid winners to meet their financial and social obligations within specified time frame after receiving their notice of grant, adding, "this is because we want to maintain the credibility of the competitive bidding system and ensure that our forests are managed and utilized on sustainable basis."
The Sector Minister noted that since the introduction of competitive bidding, no petition had been received from any competitor on the procedure and award of contracts.
He said both winning and losing companies always left the bidding premises well aware that the rules had been objectively and transparently applied and the bid winner was determined purely on the basis of the rules.
Mr Robert Bamfo, Head, Timber Rise Evaluation Committee, Forestry Commission said areas earmarked for bidding were locations in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo forest reserves.
He said 67 companies that participated in the bidding were ranked according to their bidding price and the winner would only be allocated with a lot to ensure equity.
Mr Bamfo said about 80 per cent Ghanaians had won the bidding since the commencement of the new process in 2004.