Oshakati – The Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has criticised tenderpreneurs for inflating their quotations when tendering for a government contract.
“This attitude of people wanting to cash in because it is government should be discouraged,” charged Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She made the comments at a drought relief meeting when referring to contracts for the milling of grain into flour, intended to assist people affected by drought.
There are also contracts for the drilling of boreholes and transportation of food.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further said that private vehicle owners who avail themselves to transport drought relief food should not complain about the current N$20 per kilometre paid, adding that “their concern will not be accepted”.
Governors reported to the deputy prime minister that private vehicle owners who transport drought relief food from storage to beneficiaries are not satisfied with the N$20 per kilometre.
However, Nandi-Ndaitwah informed the Disaster Risk Management Committee that strategies should be developed to curb the “cashing in” tendency among tenderpreneurs.
“These people are being used by private people. Ask them how much they charge and balance the prices,” she advised the committee. She argued that unless the current rate paid to private vehicle owners is lower than that of the farmer transporting cattle from his farm to an auction, then the price remains fair.
Nandi-Ndaitwah advised officials who are involved in the transport of drought relief food to weigh the quotations quoted to individuals and government to strike a balance.
“But we cannot accept this thing where people just want to quote government high. How are we expected to buy food if the money is being spent on service unnecessarily?” questioned Nandi-Ndaitwah. Nandi-Ndaitwah said instead government should increase the transport capacity to smoothen the process.
The Disaster Risk Management Committee meeting was attended by governors, councillors and heads of institutions from Oshikoto, Oshana, Kunene, Omusati and Ohangwena.
The meeting was held in Oshakati.
by Nuusita Ashipala