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The Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) on Monday, May 4, 2026, conducted a bid opening exercise for the rehabilitation and extension of Maria Primary School at Polio Community in Grafton, as well as the reconstruction of the Community Health Centre at Hill Station in Freetown.
The exercise took place at the office of the Chief Administrator of WARDC and brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society, the media, and development partners to observe the process.
Speaking during the opening session, the Chief Administrator of WARDC, Mr. Peter A. Koroma, said the bidding exercise was being carried out in accordance with established procurement regulations to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the implementation of the projects.
Koroma referenced the Public Procurement Act, the Financial Management Act, and the Local Government Act as key legal frameworks guiding the process. He stressed the importance of complying with procurement procedures in order to maintain public confidence and guarantee value for money in the execution of development projects.
“The process is being conducted in line with the required procurement laws and regulations to ensure transparency and accountability,” he stated.
A statement was also delivered by Mr. Abdulai Yillah, representing the Accountable Governance Project on behalf of the project team. He reaffirmed the project’s commitment to supporting development initiatives aimed at improving services for communities within the district.
Representing the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Mr. Joseph Bundeh attended the exercise as an observer to monitor compliance with national procurement standards and procedures.
The Procurement Officer of WARDC, Mr. Mohamed O.A. Turay, explained that the bid opening exercise marked only the beginning of the procurement process. According to him, all submitted bids will undergo detailed evaluation, technical assessment, and document verification before any contractor is considered for award.
Turay noted that the process is designed to ensure that only qualified and compliant bidders are selected to undertake the projects.
Representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the District Health Management Team, who attended as end users of the projects, welcomed the initiative and described the proposed interventions as important for improving education and healthcare services in the affected communities.
The Council stated that the bid opening exercise was conducted competitively and transparently by the Procurement Unit of WARDC in line with public procurement procedures.
Representatives from civil society organizations and the media were also present to observe the process as part of efforts to promote openness and public accountability in the management of development projects.
