REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTANT SERVICES – SELECTION OF FIRMS)

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has received financing from the Islamic Development Bank toward the cost of the Special Agro – Industrial Processing Zones Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services for the engagement of a consultant for financial auditing. 

The services of the consultant include to express a professional opinion as to whether (i) the Project Financial Statements (PFS) show true and fair view of the Project’s financial position as of 31^st December, 2023 and funds receipts and expenditures incurred during the period then ending. (ii) Expenditures reimbursed on basis of Statements of Expenditures are eligible to Bank financing and are reflected on the PFS, and for this purpose, the auditor shall carry out whatever necessary examinations of the statements and underlying records and control systems. The Audit opinion should also state whether the Procurement Guidelines of the Islamic Development Bank have been properly applied and in accordance with the Project’s Financing Agreement no. {xxx}.

The services of the auditor shall be for a period of 4 years starting from 2023 to 2026 with an estimated 3months professional staff months. The assignment will start immediately after signing the contract and for the subsequent years upon receiving a request letter for commencement.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: sapz.gov.ng or can be obtained at the address given below from 10am to 4pm local time during working hours.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide specific information which demonstrates that they are fully qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

The shortlisting criteria are:

(1) Firm’s general experience and qualification with evidence of registration with the appropriate professional body in the country.

(2) Firm’s Financial/Account Information with Evidence of Tax Clearance (TCC) and Audited Accounts for 2020, 2021 & 2022.

(3) Firm’s Specific experience in auditing Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) funded projects in the country.

(4) Availability of relevant personnel in the Firm

The Qualifications and Experiences of Key Experts shall not be included in the shortlisting criteria. Key Experts shall not be evaluated at this stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Paragraphs, 1.23, and 1.24 of the Guidelines for Procurement of Consultant Services under Islamic Development Bank Project Financing (the “Procurement Guidelines”), setting forth IsDB’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Least Cost Selection (LCS) method set out in the Procurement Guidelines.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours i.e. 10:00 to 16:00 hours (local time).

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person by 12Noon, 15^th March, 2024.

Dr. Kabir Yusuf

National Program Coordinator, SAPZ

National Program Co-ordination Office (NPCO)

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,

FADAMA House, No. 1 Eldoret Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja,

admin@sapz.gov.ng;  sapz.gov.ng,  +234 8168088308, +2348035949354