The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has reiterated its call for the establishment of a national construction council, urging the government to prioritise this reform in 2025.
The proposed body would regulate the construction industry, ensure fair competition, protect local contractors and secure Namibia’s economic independence.
According to CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner, the absence of such a body has left the sector vulnerable to exploitation by foreign firms.
High-profile undertakings, such as the Ogongo-Oshakati pipeline and the Karibib-Usakos road rehabilitation, have been predominantly awarded to foreign firms, which Kirchner says drains economic resources and deprives local contractors of opportunities.
“The lack of regulation is not just a missed opportunity for our local businesses; it’s a threat to our national sovereignty.
Each project handed to foreign contractors represents a loss for Namibia’s economy and workforce.
Establishing a construction council is imperative to ensuring that Namibians build Namibia,” Kirchner says.
She says for nearly two decades, the CIF has been advocating a regulatory body to oversee the construction industry.
However, she says despite years of engagement with government officials, including successive ministers of works and transport, progress has been slow.
In 2019, the Namibia Investment Summit identified the establishment of such a council as a national priority, yet the initiative has not materialised.
The CIF says a national construction council would not only ensure that local contractors are prioritised but also enforce stringent safety and quality standards for projects.
Additionally, such a body would address industry challenges by requiring all contractors to register and qualify, creating a level playing field and eliminating unqualified middlemen.
The regulatory body would also help align training programmes with industry needs, empowering the local workforce to meet international standards while providing a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s capacity.
“Namibia’s neighbouring countries have long established regulatory bodies to oversee their construction industries. Without similar measures we risk losing our competitive edge, and our construction sector will continue to decline.
It’s time to act decisively to protect our future,” Kirchner says.
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