Windhoek: Chairperson of the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN), Mary Shiimi, has called on contractors and government entities to strengthen collaboration and improve execution in order to deliver quality public services that support national development. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement session with current contractors, Shiimi stressed that procurement remains central to Namibia’s economic growth and public trust.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Shiimi emphasized the importance of procurement in national development, stating, “Procurement is a critical function in our national development. The contracts you hold with CPBN and government ministries represent significant commitments of public resources.” She reminded stakeholders that the Public Procurement Act, Act 15 of 2015, is designed to uphold openness, fairness, and transparency. “These principles are not just words on paper; they shape our every action and decision in procurement,” Shiimi emphasized.

While commending contractors for their role, Shiimi raised concerns about persistent challenges in the sector. She noted, “Few projects are completed on time. Many projects exceed budget. Quality is a concern on some projects. Security guards are often not paid in line with wage orders. Meals and services sometimes fall short of specifications. The list goes on,” adding that such issues undermine efficiency and service delivery.

Shiimi highlighted that under the newly launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), CPBN’s role will be critical in driving high-value procurement across key sectors such as transport, energy, health, and education. She urged open dialogue and renewed commitment from both contractors and public entities, noting that the stakeholder engagement was not about blame, but about finding solutions to ensure that procurement processes uphold integrity, transparency, and efficiency while delivering tangible benefits to Namibians.

At the same event, CPBN board member Julinda !Garus-Oas revealed that since its inception, the board has active contracts valued at N.dollars 7.5 billion. Delayed works projects, she said, include the completion and upgrading of six schools, some of which fall in underserved communities.