Fish Delivery Contract for Prisons: ‘Bassoo’ Secures the Largest Bid of Rs 12 Million

Despite its ties to the former government, the prison administration assures that Tripod Fish won this public contract legally, being the lowest bidder.

On December 8, the Mauritius Prison Service officially awarded contracts for the supply of frozen products and salted fish for a year to penitentiary institutions. Among the three companies that secured contracts, Tripod Fish Ltd was awarded the largest lot valued at Rs 12 million.

While the profile of its main partner, Basoodeo ‘Bassoo’ Seetaram – known for his connection to former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth – raises questions, the prison administration states that the process was conducted legally and in accordance with all procedures. They emphasize that politics played no role in the awarding of this public contract.

The award notice, published in accordance with Article 40(7) of the Public Procurement Act 2006, details the results of the tender referenced MPS/ONB/QN51/2025-2026. This contract, for the supply and delivery of goods "as needed" over a twelve-month period, was divided among three suppliers: Tripod Fish Ltd, based in Vacoas, secures lot No. 1 for an amount of Rs 12,000,000. Les Versailles Ltd is awarded lots 2, 3, and 7 for a total of Rs 8,115,594.58. Worldwide Marketing and Services Ltd wins lots 4, 5, 6, and 8 for the sum of Rs 343,332.

The administration specifies that the choice fell on the “substantially responsive” bidder who offered the lowest price. In response to potential criticisms regarding the political profile of the shareholder of Tripod Fish Ltd, the Prison Commissioner, Dev Jokhoo, firmly dismisses these concerns. "I confirm that this company secured part of the contract. We held a tender, and they submitted the best offer. Everything was done according to the normal process," said Dev Jokhoo to Défi Media Group on Wednesday.

He highlights the existence of a Procurement Committee responsible for reviewing offers and submitting its findings collegially. According to him, the multiplicity of signatures and participants in the process ensures the impartiality of the decision.

The commissioner strongly refutes any external interference: "Politics has absolutely nothing to do with this. His company is the ‘lowest bidder’ and met all the criteria."

The recurring aspect of awarding contracts to Tripod Fish Ltd during the Jugnauth era is also dismissed by the administration. Dev Jokhoo recalls that Tripod Fish Ltd is not new to the prison sector, having fulfilled previous contracts for fish delivery.

Despite the dissatisfaction of a rejected bidder, the Prison Commissioner assures that all necessary explanations have been provided to the relevant authorities. The contract is already in effect, with the administration concluding that the process was conducted with complete transparency. Bassoodeo Seetaram has not commented on the awarding of this contract.