EDITORIAL: Govt right to reject backdoor deals

It is encouraging to see government finally drawing a firm line in the sand regarding unsolicited infrastructure proposals submitted by individuals, private companies or self-appointed “agents” claiming to represent investors.

While some of these proposals may appear attractive on the surface, their very nature raises serious concerns about transparency, fairness and accountability. Development cannot be built on backdoor arrangements.

The first problem is that unsolicited proposals bypass competitive bidding. Without open competition, government risks entering into bloated and unnecessarily expensive agreements. Procurement systems exist to ensure that the state gets value for money and that public resources are protected from abuse. Once that process is sidestepped, the door swings open to inflated costs and questionable deals.

Secondly, this model creates fertile ground for corruption. Allowing individuals to walk into high offices with ‘innovative proposals’ risks undermining the very procurement laws designed to safeguard the public purse.

What is the point of procurement regulations if they can simply be brushed aside whenever someone arrives with connections, promises, or political access?

And that is the third issue – access itself. Not every Namibian with a brilliant idea has the privilege of reaching top government offices. In reality, such access is often reserved for those who know someone who knows someone.

The danger is that government eventually becomes captive to networks of influence rather than guided by transparent systems. That is how states slowly drift from governance into patronage.

Government’s position, outlined in a finance ministry statement yesterday, is therefore a welcome corrective measure. Public infrastructure projects must go through transparent, competitive, and accountable channels. This is not to say innovative ideas from the private sector should be ignored. But they must go through the front door of due process, not through corridors of influence and whispered introductions.