Allexer Namundjebo
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has awarded public procurement contracts valued at N$7.5 billion over the past eight years.
These contracts have been issued since the board’s establishment in 2017.
The figure was revealed on Monday during the CPBN board stakeholders’ engagement with current contractors.
CPBN board member Julinda !Garus-Oas said the amount includes N$1.3 billion for 36 contracts awarded for goods, N$1.9 billion for 80 service contracts, and N$4.4 billion for 63 projects.
Opening the session, CPBN board chairperson Mary Shiimi stressed that procurement plays a key role in national development.
She said contracts with CPBN and government ministries involve public resources that must be awarded and executed fairly, transparently, and lawfully.
Shiimi expressed concern over delays, cost overruns, and poor quality in the execution of public projects.
“Few projects are completed on time. Many projects exceed budget. Quality is a concern for some. Security guards are often not paid in line with wage orders. Meals and services sometimes fall short of specifications. This is unacceptable,” she said.
She explained that the meeting was called not to assign blame but to find solutions.
“These are the realities that prompted the Board to initiate this engagement session, to seek improvements and institute corrective measures,” she said.
Shiimi urged contractors and public entities to comply with agreements, meet timelines, and uphold quality standards.
Her remarks come as Namibia implements its sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which prioritises investments in transport, energy, health, and education.
“Today is not about judging who is right or wrong. It’s about finding common ground for improved service delivery and speed of execution within the ambit of the law,” she said.
Meanwhile, board member Abrie Collard highlighted the importance of ethics and integrity in procurement.
He warned that bidders or suppliers engaging in corrupt, fraudulent, or coercive practices face fines of up to N$5 million or 10 years’ imprisonment.
Collard added that the board will continue to apply section 68 of the Public Procurement Act to seek debarment or blacklisting of entities involved in conflicts of interest.
The engagement brought together board members, management, current contract holders, and representatives from public entities.
It ended with calls for accountability, dialogue, and stronger collaboration to ensure procurement supports national development.
The CPBN has in recent years faced legal battles over high-profile tenders, delays in awards, and challenges with fraudulent or defective bid documents.
Courts have at times found procedural flaws that forced re-evaluations or cancellations.
Limited capacity, evaluation delays, and the complexity of the Public Procurement Act have further slowed processes, drawing criticism from stakeholders and the public who accuse the board of inefficiency.
