EDITORIAL: Local contractors must earn their place
For years, the Namibian government has faced criticism for awarding major contracts to foreign companies. The accusation is familiar: locals are being sidelined in favour of Chinese firms or other outsiders, robbing Namibians of opportunities and economic growth.
But recent events are forcing us to look in the mirror. Local firms like Enercon, Eco Fuel and Erongo Petroleum – now at the heart of the unfolding Namcor corruption scandal – have turned the narrative on its head.
These are not stories of economic empowerment. These are cautionary tales of greed, mismanagement and betrayal.
In court, their representatives now argue they should be granted bail because their businesses employ people.
But this is a smokescreen. These companies didn’t reinvest their state-paid millions into growing the economy, creating jobs or building capacity. They built mansions, not systems. They bought luxury vehicles, not tools of trade.
Enercon, for instance, held a critical defence ministry fuel tender – yet failed to deliver. The military had to fall back on its own entity, August 26, just to keep running. That is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
This story echoes across sectors. Roads, housing, public infrastructure – local contractors win big on paper but often abandon projects midway.
This behaviour is not only undermining the economy, it’s eroding trust. The result? Government is forced to reissue tenders, delay projects and spend more than initially budgeted. When foreign companies step in and finish the work, locals cry foul. But what are the alternatives?
Yes, foreign contractors may come at a higher price. But too often, they also bring efficiency, timelines and delivery. That’s not favouritism – it’s pragmatism.
This is not to say that all local contractors are corrupt or incompetent. There are Namibian companies doing honest work and delivering value.
But recent events are forcing us to look in the mirror. Local firms like Enercon, Eco Fuel and Erongo Petroleum – now at the heart of the unfolding Namcor corruption scandal – have turned the narrative on its head.
These are not stories of economic empowerment. These are cautionary tales of greed, mismanagement and betrayal.
In court, their representatives now argue they should be granted bail because their businesses employ people.
But this is a smokescreen. These companies didn’t reinvest their state-paid millions into growing the economy, creating jobs or building capacity. They built mansions, not systems. They bought luxury vehicles, not tools of trade.
Enercon, for instance, held a critical defence ministry fuel tender – yet failed to deliver. The military had to fall back on its own entity, August 26, just to keep running. That is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
This story echoes across sectors. Roads, housing, public infrastructure – local contractors win big on paper but often abandon projects midway.
This behaviour is not only undermining the economy, it’s eroding trust. The result? Government is forced to reissue tenders, delay projects and spend more than initially budgeted. When foreign companies step in and finish the work, locals cry foul. But what are the alternatives?
Yes, foreign contractors may come at a higher price. But too often, they also bring efficiency, timelines and delivery. That’s not favouritism – it’s pragmatism.
This is not to say that all local contractors are corrupt or incompetent. There are Namibian companies doing honest work and delivering value.
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Namibian Sun
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