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.