Lüderitz
The country’s energy utility NamPower is asking Lüderitz entrepreneurs to participate in the utility’s new Equitable Economic Empowerment Policy (NEEEP), which has replaced its Black Economic Empowerment policy of 2004.
NamPower’s new NEEEP did away with the tender bond or security for tenders below N$10 million if it can be demonstrated that it will not result in any increased financial or operational risk to the company.
NamPower may also consider to relax, temporarily, the normal financial and commercial evaluation requirements when a new business is being developed.
“Or however when previously disadvantaged Namibian companies in the area where the services are required are competing with companies from elsewhere or when a tender is located in a communal/under-developed area and is employing members of such a community, inter alia, provided that such a relaxation does not endanger NamPower’s interests substantially,” Division Manager of Strategy, Corporate Communication and Electrification Ambassador Monica Nashandi, and board member Penda Kiiyala, told Lüderitz business people at the town this week. They said the visit to Lüderitz was part of NamPower’s striving to associate itself with enterprises, individuals and communities that share the vision of its board of directors, and the Government of the Republic of Namibia’s aspirations of forging a prosperous economic future for Namibia and its people.
The NamPower Board approved the NEEEP policy in September 2014 and it was communicated to the public last month. The aim of the policy is to promote broader participation and encourage entrepreneurship by previously disadvantaged business and communities by giving them the opportunity to trade with NamPower by taking part in the NamPower procurement activities, according to NamPower.
Further, the policy strives to be consistent, transparent, predictable and fair. It also sets out criteria for giving previously disadvantaged Namibians greater access and participation in NamPower’s procurement activities, in an effort to create business opportunities for the majority of hitherto marginalized Namibians.
Other new features of the policy include registration requirements, vendor classification, procurement activities below N$10million reserved for enterprises owned by previously disadvantaged Namibians, how to qualify through NEEEP, documents required to verify NEEEP compliance, and the impact of the NEEEP on current enterprises registered with NamPower.
The session also gave opportunity to showcase major Nampower projects and programmes planned for 2015, as well as the current challenges facing the electricity supply industry.
NamPower’s core business is electricity generation, transmission and energy trading.
It is also involved in distribution through shareholding in regional electricity distribution companies (REDs) and by acting as a supplier of last resort in areas where no REDs operate.