N$21,6m for new Nujoma office block

GOVERNMENT is to build a spanking new office for former President Sam Nujoma at a cost of N$21,6 million, up on an original budgetary allocation for this project of N$15,5 million.

Cabinet decided at a recent meeting “to spend N$21 676 623,39 on the construction of offices for the Founding President if the tender is awarded to the lowest of the three vetted contractors”. No details of the three companies that submitted bids were released.The Ministry of Works and Transport, on the advice of the Tender Board, approached the Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security regarding the adjudication of the tender.Nujoma has been using the office of the Ombudsman next to the old State House since March 2005.The Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security, chaired by Prime Minister Nahas Angula, advised that Cabinet should be approached on the matter to direct the Cabinet Committee in its decision.The Ministry of Works and Transport wanted the tender to be awarded to the lowest tender of the three vetted contractors, which was done.The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, mentioned about N$15 million during the Budget debate in his motivation for the Office of the President in April this year.The budget for the former President falls under this vote.Kawana motivated a total budget of N$20,7 million for the office of the former President.Of this, N$15,5 million was to be used for the construction of a new office for Nujoma, which will be used by all future presidents after they retire.According to the budget book for the 2008-09 financial year, N$15,5 million was allocated for capital expenditure, N$1,3 million in the next financial year and another N$428 000 for 2010-11, totalling N$17,2 million.No details of the three companies that submitted bids were released.The Ministry of Works and Transport, on the advice of the Tender Board, approached the Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security regarding the adjudication of the tender.Nujoma has been using the office of the Ombudsman next to the old State House since March 2005.The Cabinet Committee on Defence and Security, chaired by Prime Minister Nahas Angula, advised that Cabinet should be approached on the matter to direct the Cabinet Committee in its decision.The Ministry of Works and Transport wanted the tender to be awarded to the lowest tender of the three vetted contractors, which was done.The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, mentioned about N$15 million during the Budget debate in his motivation for the Office of the President in April this year.The budget for the former President falls under this vote.Kawana motivated a total budget of N$20,7 million for the office of the former President. Of this, N$15,5 million was to be used for the construction of a new office for Nujoma, which will be used by all future presidents after they retire.According to the budget book for the 2008-09 financial year, N$15,5 million was allocated for capital expenditure, N$1,3 million in the next financial year and another N$428 000 for 2010-11, totalling N$17,2 million.