IFC seeks explanation from Government over controversial airport concession decision

SOURCE:POBJEDA- AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has expressed serious concern over the decision of the Tender Commission of the Government of Montenegro to reject the technical offer of one of the bidders in the concession procedure for Montenegrin airports, without any explanation, Pobjeda learns.

In a letter sent to the Chairman of the Tender Commission and Deputy Prime Minister for the Economic System Niko Đeljošaj, and also delivered to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and other key members of the Government, the IFC states that this decision was made during the sessions on June 5 and 6, despite the fact that an independent technical evaluation of both bidders — conducted by a renowned international technical consultant — concluded that both offers were in line with the tender criteria.

“The conclusion of the technical evaluation was that both bidders met the required criteria. The bidder whose bid was rejected, according to all technical parameters, met the conditions of the tender documentation,” the letter states.

IFC points out that even after two days of sessions, the Tender Commission has not provided any technical justification for its decision, which, as it emphasizes, calls into question the transparency and integrity of the entire process.

“Without a clear and documented justification, IFC is unable to confirm that the decision was made in accordance with the rules of the tender documentation, which seriously undermines the credibility of the process,” the letter, signed by senior IFC officials Georgi Petrov, Marcelo Castellanos, and Ines Rocha, states.

If this situation is not clarified, IFC warns that it will be forced to withdraw from its role as an advisor to the Government on this project.

"Without solid evidence that the Tender Committee's conclusions are in line with the RFP criteria, IFC will have no choice but to resign from its advisory role," IFC said, adding that it remains open to discussion in order to preserve the integrity and transparency of the process.

This letter sheds new light on the airport concession process, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Montenegro, and raises questions about the accountability and legality of decision-making within state institutions.