Posted by Chinenye on Tue 28th Apr, 2026 - tori.ng
Kwara State has officially opened bids for the development of its Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones project.
(Staff of KW-SAPZ, representative of National Coordination Ofgic. Photo Credit: Punch newspaper)
In a move to further the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Project, the Kwara State Government has opened bids for the development of processing and non-processing support facilities for the Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete, Moro Local Government Area.
Sangodare Ayinla of the KW-SAPZ Project Implementation Unit made this announcement in a statement on Tuesday.
Speaking during the exercise, Busari Isiaka, the State Project Coordinator of the KW-SAPZ, noted that the contract was posted in national dailies on March 25, 2026, and described the bid opening as an important step in the procurement process.
He said, "Bids are being opened for the development of processing and non-processing support facilities for the Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete, Kwara State, came up today, marking a month from the date of the publication.”
He confirmed that the exercise was conducted in full compliance with Islamic Development Bank procurement guidelines and the provisions of the bidding documents.
“We confirm that the opening of bids has been conducted in full compliance with the Islamic Development Bank procurement guidelines and the provisions of the bidding documents, ensuring transparency and fairness,” he added.
The KW-SAPZ coordinator disclosed that although eight bidders purchased bid documents, only four submissions were received and publicly opened.
RTD Thomson Ltd., DPL Construction, RSA Global Services Ltd., and Afdin Construction Ltd. were the four bidders.
He stated that the following stage will entail a thorough assessment of the Evaluation Committee in line with established procedures and cautioned bidders against any attempt to influence the process.
"We strongly advise all bidders to abstain from communicating in any way that could sway the review process. All bidders will receive formal notification of the evaluation's results in due time, according to Isiaka.
Tony Omyekyweli, the Technical Assistant on Procurement at the National Coordination Office of the SAPZ Project, stated that the evaluation report would be sent to the Islamic Development Bank for additional review and that the bid opening was one of the structured activities leading to contract award.
Kabir Yinka Ibiyemi, the KW-SAPZ Project's procurement officer, stated that the evaluation procedure would closely adhere to the bid opening checklist and specified parameters provided by bidders.
Osigbodi Kolawole, a representative of SAO Capital, the transaction consulting firm, said the process was open and compliant with Islamic Development Bank procurement guidelines.
Abdurrahman Akindele Ayuba, the Executive Officer of the Center for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, characterized the session as merit-driven and predicted that it would ultimately yield a high-quality result.
Babatunde Seun, a representative of Afdin Construction, praised the organizers for guaranteeing transparency and inclusivity, stating that the bid opening procedure went smoothly.
The African Development Bank and other development finance organizations, such as the Islamic Development Bank, support the federal government's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Project, which aims to establish agro-industrial hubs throughout Nigeria to increase agricultural value addition, generate employment, and promote rural economic development.
The initiative is being carried out in a number of states, with each state creating a processing zone centered around its main agricultural product.
Malete, Moro Local Government Area, where Kwara State University is situated, is where Kwara State's SAPZ is situated.
The hub's goals are to process agricultural goods from the state's farming communities, draw in private investment for agro-processing, and give rural residents jobs.