'We're not favouring Chinese contractors'
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has denied it is favouring Chinese companies, while acknowledging it is experiencing “several challenges”.
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has denied media reports suggesting that it is favouring Chinese firms over local contractors, when it comes to awarding lucrative bids.
The CPBN recently awarded two contracts for construction work on the Valombola and Nakayale vocational centres, amounting to N$27.7 million and N$37.8 million, respectively, to a joint-venture arrangement between Africa Civil Engineering CC and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
This caused and outcry from Namibians who feel that local firms should have been awarded the jobs.
The CPBN said it made the tender awards following the recommendations of two independent bid evaluation committees.
It said the joint-venture was the “lowest evaluated, substantially responsive bidder”.
“The board reviewed the outcome of the process and resolved to engage public entities to use an open national bidding process, particularly section 29(a) [of the Procurement Act], which restricts participation to Namibian citizens as far as practicably possible or motivates deviation from this advantage for works-related bids issued by the CPBN,” the CPBN said in a statement.
Lack of expertise and leadership
The body also hit back allegations that suggested it is characterised by a lack of experience and leadership.
It said it is finalising the recruitment of technical expertise, acknowledging that it is currently experiencing “several challenges”, especially since the Public Procurement Act is still new to everyone.
Regarding the criticism against its leadership, the CPBN said it is not a “conventional board” that meets only four or six times a year, but is required to meet at least four times a month, or sometimes even more.
The CPBN also denied claims that it is “paralysed” and “dysfunctional”, with delays resulting in lengthy procurement processes.
It said such delays are caused by factors such as standard bidding documents designed by the procurement policy unit as generic bidding documents per category of procurement, the understanding and interpretation of the Public Procurement Act, as well as the capacity of procurement staff of public entities and a shortage of staff at the CPBN.
Staff matters
The CPBN said it received a directive from finance minister Calle Schlettwein in July last year that vetting - a security clearance process - must be conducted on all potential employees before any permanent employment can be offered.
To date, positions in the structure have been advertised, interviews were conducted, and vetting results are awaited before recruitment can be finalised.
Moreover, the extension of all fixed contracts that came to an end at the end of March could not be considered.
No infighting
The CPBN also took exception to allegations of infighting amongst executive members, saying members do have differences of opinion and work methodologies, but this does not constitute rifts in the body.
It has approved 43 tenders so far this year.
CATHERINE SASMAN
The CPBN recently awarded two contracts for construction work on the Valombola and Nakayale vocational centres, amounting to N$27.7 million and N$37.8 million, respectively, to a joint-venture arrangement between Africa Civil Engineering CC and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
This caused and outcry from Namibians who feel that local firms should have been awarded the jobs.
The CPBN said it made the tender awards following the recommendations of two independent bid evaluation committees.
It said the joint-venture was the “lowest evaluated, substantially responsive bidder”.
“The board reviewed the outcome of the process and resolved to engage public entities to use an open national bidding process, particularly section 29(a) [of the Procurement Act], which restricts participation to Namibian citizens as far as practicably possible or motivates deviation from this advantage for works-related bids issued by the CPBN,” the CPBN said in a statement.
Lack of expertise and leadership
The body also hit back allegations that suggested it is characterised by a lack of experience and leadership.
It said it is finalising the recruitment of technical expertise, acknowledging that it is currently experiencing “several challenges”, especially since the Public Procurement Act is still new to everyone.
Regarding the criticism against its leadership, the CPBN said it is not a “conventional board” that meets only four or six times a year, but is required to meet at least four times a month, or sometimes even more.
The CPBN also denied claims that it is “paralysed” and “dysfunctional”, with delays resulting in lengthy procurement processes.
It said such delays are caused by factors such as standard bidding documents designed by the procurement policy unit as generic bidding documents per category of procurement, the understanding and interpretation of the Public Procurement Act, as well as the capacity of procurement staff of public entities and a shortage of staff at the CPBN.
Staff matters
The CPBN said it received a directive from finance minister Calle Schlettwein in July last year that vetting - a security clearance process - must be conducted on all potential employees before any permanent employment can be offered.
To date, positions in the structure have been advertised, interviews were conducted, and vetting results are awaited before recruitment can be finalised.
Moreover, the extension of all fixed contracts that came to an end at the end of March could not be considered.
No infighting
The CPBN also took exception to allegations of infighting amongst executive members, saying members do have differences of opinion and work methodologies, but this does not constitute rifts in the body.
It has approved 43 tenders so far this year.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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