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NamWater affirms commitment to working with local contractors

Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) says it will continue prioritising qualified local contractors when awarding tenders for projects.

NamWater spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata said this in a statement yesterday clarifying the water utility’s stance.

He was reacting to recent media reports that NamWater had shifted its preference towards foreign firms due to local contractor challenges.

“NamWater operates under Namibia’s Public Procurement Act, which allows for preferential treatment of Namibian businesses under specific conditions.

“Our procurement processes are designed to be transparent and fair, ensuring that local contractors are prioritised wherever they meet the required technical and financial criteria,” he said.

Ndamanomhata, however, said large-scale projects funded through international agreements often require open international bidding (OIB) to ensure compliance with donor requirements and to attract qualified bidders for complex works.

He provided an example of the Ogongo-Oshakati water pipeline replacement project, which followed the OIB process as required by the financing agreement between the Namibian government and the German state-owned KfW Development Bank.

“This agreement mandates adherence to KfW procurement requirements alongside Namibia’s Public Procurement Act,” he said.

The related tender was open to both local and international bidders, with evaluations based on technical and financial criteria.

“The selected contractors demonstrated the necessary capacity, expertise, and ability to meet the project’s requirements and timelines.

“Nevertheless, even for internationally financed projects, NamWater remains committed to maximising local benefits,” Ndamanomhata said.

He added that contractors awarded such tenders must employ Namibian labour and subcontract to local businesses, ensuring direct economic benefits to Namibian communities.

He said NamWater recently held a workshop with prospective suppliers and service providers to provide insights on how businesses can better participate in tenders.

The workshop also clarified the qualification criteria for future projects and the need to build internal capacity to ensure that technical and financial submissions for tenders clearly demonstrate the required expertise, capacity and ability to meet project requirements and timelines.

He encouraged local businesses to partner with international firms to gain exposure to advanced techniques and global best practices.

“This initiative underscores NamWater’s commitment to not only awarding projects to local contractors but also equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to compete effectively in future tenders,” he said.

Ndamanomhata gave examples of successful projects by Namibian companies that were in joint ventures and had a majority ownership.

He said in the Collector 1-Schwarzekuppe-Swakopmund pipeline replacement project worth N$59.6 million, Namibian-owned CK Heydt Civils CC held 51% in a partnership with Botswana-based Unik Construction.

Namibian-owned Homefin Properties CC has a 51% stake in the N$141.8 million Outapi Water Treatment Works Extension with China Jiangxi International.

Homefin Properties CC also holds a 51% stake in the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime Pipeline Replacement Phase 1 project worth N$91 million with China Jiangxi International.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na

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