Rundu: Urban and Rural Development Minister, James Sankwasa, has said procurement committees in many regional and local authority councils have failed the country by prioritising foreign-owned companies. Sankwasa raised the concern while addressing an induction workshop which brought together newly elected regional and local authority councillors, as well as administrative staff members, at Rundu on Monday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the minister highlighted that in many cases, foreign-owned companies awarded tenders belong to individuals who are not even registered voters in Namibia. 'The time for Namibia first has come. For too long, we have seen a preference for foreign nationals under the guise of 'track record' and the lowest price offered. These decisions are often driven by administrative staff,' he said.

Sankwasa emphasized that procurement processes must align with Section 2 of the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015, focusing on strengthening measures to implement government empowerment and industrialisation policies. He further warned that tenders awarded through joint venture arrangements require continuous monitoring during implementation. 'Too often, local companies that enter into joint ventures with foreign firms are sidelined on site, having been bought out before the ink on the agreement has even dried,' he noted.

The minister urged administrators to read, interpret, and implement the law correctly. Meanwhile, Kavango East Governor Hambyuka Hamunyera stated that effective governance at regional and local levels requires more than technical expertise. He stressed it demands ethical leadership, sound decision-making, teamwork, and a shared commitment to service delivery.

'Councillors and management are expected to work together in a spirit of mutual respect, guided by transparency, accountability, and good governance,' Hamunyera said. He added that residents expect tangible progress in service delivery, land servicing, infrastructure development, housing, local economic development, and social cohesion. 'This workshop should therefore not be seen as a routine obligation, but as a valuable opportunity to reflect, learn, and align our efforts with the broader national development objectives,' he concluded.