CPBN ‘on the right track’
30-day target set to finalise bids
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) acting chairperson, Amon Ngavetene, says while negative perceptions linger, the institution has worked hard to earn the trust and confidence of the public.
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) says it believes it has made strides to shake off the corruption label that was often associated with the then Tender Board of Namibia.
Speaking to Namibia Media Holdings on the sidelines of a recent media workshop, its acting chairperson, Amon Ngavetene, said the procurement board is making notable efforts to operate in an ethical manner.
"We have really been doing great; I don’t think the kind of negativity that was there, and to be seen in institutions where corruption is entrenched, is really there. Yes, the negative perceptions about the board are there, but I think we are on the right track," Ngavetene said.
Building trust
Ngavetene said the ability of the CPBN to efficiently award bids also aided in its being perceived as an ethical institution.
"The more we run processes and we put out the results, and bidders have an opportunity to challenge our processes, the better it is because it will build confidence and trust in the public," he said.
Ngavetene also weighed in on a recent bid for the supply of medical goods to the health ministry, and said it affected the reputation of the CPBN.
"I know that with the procurement of clinical items done, a bit of damage was done to the institution and those ones steering the process. But the good thing is, it’s a process that was done in good faith," Ngavetene said.
"As an institution, it has helped us a lot, and we have also improved our systems going forward," he added.
Efficient
Ngavetene also said it was imperative to ensure bid awards do not take much time to be vetted and awarded.
"I don’t think there is any justification that we can run a single procurement for more than three months; there is no explanation to it, and the reasons which I think we can do much better, because we have now started, and it has now become our target to say that every evaluation should be completed in not more than 30-days," he said.
Speaking to Namibia Media Holdings on the sidelines of a recent media workshop, its acting chairperson, Amon Ngavetene, said the procurement board is making notable efforts to operate in an ethical manner.
"We have really been doing great; I don’t think the kind of negativity that was there, and to be seen in institutions where corruption is entrenched, is really there. Yes, the negative perceptions about the board are there, but I think we are on the right track," Ngavetene said.
Building trust
Ngavetene said the ability of the CPBN to efficiently award bids also aided in its being perceived as an ethical institution.
"The more we run processes and we put out the results, and bidders have an opportunity to challenge our processes, the better it is because it will build confidence and trust in the public," he said.
Ngavetene also weighed in on a recent bid for the supply of medical goods to the health ministry, and said it affected the reputation of the CPBN.
"I know that with the procurement of clinical items done, a bit of damage was done to the institution and those ones steering the process. But the good thing is, it’s a process that was done in good faith," Ngavetene said.
"As an institution, it has helped us a lot, and we have also improved our systems going forward," he added.
Efficient
Ngavetene also said it was imperative to ensure bid awards do not take much time to be vetted and awarded.
"I don’t think there is any justification that we can run a single procurement for more than three months; there is no explanation to it, and the reasons which I think we can do much better, because we have now started, and it has now become our target to say that every evaluation should be completed in not more than 30-days," he said.
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