By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – The Roads Authority yesterday announced the termination of three Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development contracts after evidence emerged that the three contractors furnished falsified copies of good standing certificates during the pre-qualification stage.
The SME contractors, Isaak Contractor, Afrikaner Contractor and !Khob Contractor, were awarded contracts for blading of gravel roads in the Hardap Region close to Mariental. “The RA will not tolerate the use of dishonest and illegal methods to obtain tenders and those who are found to have committed illegal practices will be dealt with accordingly”, said RA’s Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi.
“The RA takes pride in being one of the leading organisations in Namibia in the development of SME contractors. The appointment of SME contractors in road construction and maintenance is done in a fair and transparent manner and we strictly adhere to our SME Development Policy, Procurement Policy and Procedures. All tenders are strictly awarded to viable SMEs who have gone through a rigorous tender process in line with our Procurement Policy and Procedures and Tender rules”, said Lutombi, in a statement.
Lutombi went on to say that the RA is committed to developing, supporting and offering a fair opportunity to all SMEs in road construction and maintenance. “We will continue to assist upcoming entrepreneurs in building and operating commercially viable SMEs which will contribute to the efforts of our government’s commitment to create employment opportunities and capacity building and alleviate poverty.”.
Lutombi also assured the public that measures have been put in place to ensure that the blading of gravel roads in the Hardap Region will continue until new contracts have been awarded. “In the meantime, the RA will embark upon a retender for the areas affected by the terminated contracts”, concluded Lutombi.