PM denies storage facility stink
Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday poured cold water over allegations she pulled strings to ensure her associates benefited handsomely from two multi-billion state contracts.
The N$5.6 billion tender to construct the strategic fuel storage facility at Walvis Bay and the construction of the ministry home affairs' new headquarters for N$1 billion in Windhoek are cited as having benefited Kuugongelwa-Amadhila's associates.
She vehemently denies the allegations and challenged her accusers to produce the dirt they have on her.
The prime minister has come under increased scrutiny recently and has been accused of using her office as finance minister at the time to advantage close associates who benefitted handsomely from the construction of the two facilities.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was in 2017 accused of having pushed through the construction of the strategic fuel storage facility project which saw the price of construction balloon from an initial N$910 million to N$5.6 billion.
Responding to these allegations yesterday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the allegations are unfounded.
“I have indicated that not only are the allegations of impropriety made about me false and malicious, but the allegations that I, as a political office bearer, or Treasury as the state's financial authority, is involved in the allocations of tenders, are also false,” she told Namibian Sun yesterday.
“These allegations are either based on a lack of understanding about the process of allocation of tenders in government, or they are just an attempt by those who are making them to tarnish my image for reasons known only to themselves,” she added. The PM pointed that the tender process is an autonomous process and rumours that she is involved were baseless and malicious and are rejected with all the contempt that they deserve.
“I challenge those making such allegations to present whatever they think is evidence that they have to support their allegations to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
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JEMIMA BEUKES
The N$5.6 billion tender to construct the strategic fuel storage facility at Walvis Bay and the construction of the ministry home affairs' new headquarters for N$1 billion in Windhoek are cited as having benefited Kuugongelwa-Amadhila's associates.
She vehemently denies the allegations and challenged her accusers to produce the dirt they have on her.
The prime minister has come under increased scrutiny recently and has been accused of using her office as finance minister at the time to advantage close associates who benefitted handsomely from the construction of the two facilities.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was in 2017 accused of having pushed through the construction of the strategic fuel storage facility project which saw the price of construction balloon from an initial N$910 million to N$5.6 billion.
Responding to these allegations yesterday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the allegations are unfounded.
“I have indicated that not only are the allegations of impropriety made about me false and malicious, but the allegations that I, as a political office bearer, or Treasury as the state's financial authority, is involved in the allocations of tenders, are also false,” she told Namibian Sun yesterday.
“These allegations are either based on a lack of understanding about the process of allocation of tenders in government, or they are just an attempt by those who are making them to tarnish my image for reasons known only to themselves,” she added. The PM pointed that the tender process is an autonomous process and rumours that she is involved were baseless and malicious and are rejected with all the contempt that they deserve.
“I challenge those making such allegations to present whatever they think is evidence that they have to support their allegations to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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