Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

//Kharas small contractors feel left out

Home National //Kharas small contractors feel left out
//Kharas small contractors feel left out

KEETMANSHOOP – A group of small-scale contractors staged a peaceful demonstration yesterday at the //Kharas regional office of the Roads Authority of Namibia for allegedly not being considered for a cleaning tender in the southern town.

The group’s spokesperson, Gert Titus questioned why companies from outside the area were preferred above local contractors for entry level procurement needing no technical expertise. 

“Many RA tenders are awarded to small and medium enterprises from other regions and they transfer the proceeds back to their regions and in doing so develop them,” he said. He also demanded, on behalf of the group, for the specific tender to be cancelled with immediate effect.

Titus said it is not good for the region or country if some people are excluded from development. 

“Government must tell us whether we are citizens of the south, adopted kids or foreigners as the last mentioned even receive better treatment than us,” he claimed. 

He added that another concern is that of kids coming to stay one year in //Kharas region getting preferential treatment above local ones when it come to the award of study loans and grants. 

“When it comes to employment opportunities, it becomes evident that applicants coming from other regions were selected in majority for the Namibian Police and Defence Force positions when the quotas for //Kharas were filled,’’ he said. 

“What is also worrying is that only 10% of our people prosper through opportunities whilst those from other regions just come here to use //Kharas as a basket for self-enrichment,” he said.

Titus said: “Government should be clear on where residents of
//Kharas region stand. If you do not want to serve us fairly then we do not need you,” he said. 

Receiving the petition, Roads Authority //Kharas manager, Johan Blaauw said he take note of the concerns but his office does not award tenders. 

“I will forward your petition to the chief executive officer and procurement board who will then respond to you accordingly,’’ he added.   In an interview with New Era, Ludger Vries, who was part of the demonstration, said he felt sad for not being considered for a basic tender, needing no expertise. 

“It becomes very difficult for me to put bread on the table if unemployed,” he said. 

Vries also expressed hope to be considered for upcoming projects.