Regional Council ‘flouts’ tender rules

By: LUQMAN CLOETE

THE Hardap Regional Council’s tender board allegedly flouted the terms and conditions of a N$2 million Klein Aub sewerage network tender it had awarded in February 2011 to Hare Trading Enterprise.

The council handed over the site to the company in March 2011 to start construction although it had failed to provide an accepted performance security to the amount of N$269 985 as stipulated in the contract’s terms and conditions, The Namibian has established.
In contravention of the terms and conditions, a payment was also made to the company at the behest of the tender board chairperson, Yvonne Boois, who doubles as the chief regional officer.
The Namibian understands that the company only provided an accepted performance security in June 2011.
A reliable source furthermore said the latest site  inspection report indicated there was “slow or no progress”.
Because of this, the source added, the company had failed to complete the project within the stipulated six-month period that expired in July.
Apparently some of tender board members expressed concern about slow progress, but Boois suggested that the tender board members should visit the site before taking punitive measures against the company.
On December 21 2011, the council’s planning director, Theresia Basson, proposed that the tender board should decide whether to terminate the company’s tender or to charge it penalty fees for being behind schedule.
However, the submission was never discussed after Boois had refused to recognise some new members of the tender board.
The appointment of the new members was endorsed by the regional council at a meeting on December 8, The Namibian was informed.
Reinhold Xoagub is the sole owner of Hare Trading Enterprise.
It also alleged that Hubertina Diergaardt was serving on the tender board illegally until late last year after Boois had appointed her without council approval.
Boois yesterday refused to comment.
“Let the person who has reliable information give you answers,” said Boois

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