WINDHOEK- Swapo Member of Parliament, Kazenambo Kazenambo, has accused some permanent secretaries of unprocedurally cancelling tenders contracted to private companies so that they can divert these jobs to entities owned by their friends and acquaintances.
He said this when he gave notice in the National Assembly on Wednesday on a string of questions he plans to pose to the Minister of Finance, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
According to Kazenambo, with regards to government procurement, it is alleged that there are some permanent secretaries who are cancelling tenders contracted to some companies left, right and centre, without following correct procedures.
“This is done with the aim to re-tender them in order to give them to their friends and proxies,” said Kazenambo. “Can the minister inform the public as to how many tenders have been cancelled and the reason why they were cancelled before the expiry of the contractual obligations?” asked Kazenambo in the notice.
Kazenambo also wants to know how the situation of cancelling tenders without due regard to the negative financial and other implications that the contracted companies could suffer, including potential job losses.
“She must investigate whether these allegations are true or not because the public wants to know,” said Kazenambo when called yesterday for additional comment on the matter.
He said several people, especially those in the business sector, with such claims, approached him.
With the much-awaited procurement bill yet to return to the doorsteps of parliament, Swapo backbencher Kazenambo wants to know when the bill will be re-tabled.
Kazenambo also wants to know from the finance minister as to when the Procurement Bill will be re-tabled for consideration and conclusion in the National Assembly.
The Procurement Bill was tabled and withdrawn from the National Assembly last year.
Kazenambo was one of the MPs who strongly questioned and rejected some parts of the bill when it was tabled last year.
Local media reported last year that Kazenambo described the proposed Procurement Bill as an insult and discriminatory, and said that those who drafted it see lawmakers as “children” while making his contribution in the National Assembly at the time.
The Namibian at the time reported that: He [Kazenambo] took issue with the proposed Central Procurement Board (CPB) that replaces the national Tender Board whose role will be to award government contracts. He criticised the fact that the body will be given too much mandate and powers and claimed that it will facilitate discrimination if not carefully treated. One of the clauses in the bill states that the CPB has the power to suspend and disqualify suppliers of goods or services without consulting the minister. Kazenambo said he will fight that clause without mercy or favour.”
The central procurement board will have a chief executive officer and a board consisting of nine members appointed by the minister.
“Come on, you are insulting us. For individuals who have been selected, put on the board to debar my company not to supply government with goods and services,” Kazenambo reportedly said at the time.