Roads Authority Extends Validity Period for ||Kharas Region Cleaning Tender Amid Local Protests

KEETMANSHOOP — The Roads Authority (RA) has prolonged the time frame for the tender awarding process concerning the cleaning of rest places and road reserves in the ||Kharas Region.

According to a new release by the Namibian Press Agency, the tender’s initial validity period was set to end on September 14, 2023. However, recently obtained documents from RA revealed an extension of the validity period until January 11, 2023. The documents were sent to all bidders participating in the tender.

In early September, five companies were shortlisted for the N.dollars 5.4 million tender. Notably, none of the selected companies are based in the ||Kharas Region. This information incited unrest among local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who participated in a peaceful demonstration almost a month ago. The group demanded that RA cease the tender awarding process, criticizing the selection of companies from outside the region.

The protestors argued that the tender is an entry-level procurement, not requiring specialized technical skills. They questioned the transparency of a selection process that seemed to ignore local companies, despite these enterprises contributing to the regional economy through taxes and rates. “We pay rates and taxes in this region for developmental purposes and through such opportunities we’re bound to do more, but we are not considered for selection as always,” their petition read.

When reached for comment regarding the extension of the validity period, Hileni Fillemon, RA Corporate Communications Manager, stated that RA could not offer an explanation for the delay at this time.