Windhoek:The Southern Voice has urged Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi to conduct an urgent review of the subcontracting arrangements for the Tses-Berseba road project. The advocacy group expressed concerns about the participation of local contractors in the project.
According to NAMPA, the Southern Voice issued a media statement through its chairperson, Renciah Kooper, questioning the appointment of two subcontractors—one from another African nation and another from outside the ||Kharas Region. The organization emphasized that their concerns were not based on nationality but rather on whether qualified local businesses were given fair opportunities to participate.
Kooper raised questions about the selection criteria used by the project and whether local enterprises, particularly those recognized by the Roads Authority as Emerging Road Contractors, had the chance to compete for subcontracting work. The Southern Voice argued that such projects provide critical opportunities for emerging contractors to gain experience and grow into established businesses.
The organization also called on CHICO, the main contractor for the project, to clarify its subcontracting selection criteria and disclose the extent of local business involvement. They stressed the importance of demonstrating how the project would contribute to long-term economic empowerment in the communities between Tses and Berseba.
Expressing disappointment with the ||Kharas regional leadership, the Southern Voice noted the lack of visible advocacy for local contractors' access to opportunities. They urged regional leaders to advocate for transparency and meaningful local economic participation without unlawfully interfering in procurement processes.
Furthermore, the Southern Voice called on political parties to turn promises of entrepreneurship development and inclusive economic growth into tangible opportunities for local communities. They rejected the notion that advocating for local economic participation equated to tribalism or xenophobia, emphasizing the demand was for inclusion.
The organization appealed to Minister Nekundi to facilitate structured engagement involving his ministry, the Roads Authority, CHICO, the ||Kharas Regional Council, and local contractors. They urged for commitments to transparent local procurement, enterprise development, and skills transfer.
Lastly, the Southern Voice appealed to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to address the concerns of communities in southern Namibia, urging that the Tses-Berseba Road become a pathway towards economic dignity and shared prosperity. The organization continues to champion economic justice and advocate for accountability and inclusive development in southern Namibia.
Source NAMPA