Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka should not do shadow boxing with him when asking parliamentary questions.

Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment after Rabuka asked him why the waiver of tender for the Government Tenders Board was not applied when the opposition wanted their office renovated.

Rabuka said that his question is clear and he wants to know why the tenders were not waived as the opposition office is very crowded. He says he was told that the tenders would be advertised and they are still waiting.

Sayed-Khaiyum says it is rather baffling because the regulations state that emergency purchases shall only be considered where there is an extreme urgency brought in by unforeseeable events. A procuring ministry or department can engage in emergency procurement in the event of a natural disaster such as a cyclone, flood, earthquake, tsunami, whirlwind, landslide, forest fire or drought, in life or death situations, in the event of an outbreak of diseases in humans, plants or animals or where there is an urgent need for goods, services or civil works and engaging in tender proceedings would be impractical. 

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