Local construction body demands Nekundi apologise

The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has challenged works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi to substantiate his reported claim that only three or four local contractors have the capacity to undertake major construction projects. The federation wants Nekundi to correct the impression created by his remarks and apologise to the construction industry, saying the assessment fails to distinguish between contractors’ technical skills and their ability to meet financial and tender requirements.

CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner says Namibia has established construction companies with substantial experience, technical expertise and resources, but some are struggling to qualify for projects because of restrictive procurement conditions. “A financial threshold, an unrealistic historical volume requirement or a narrowly prescribed experience condition must not replace a proper assessment of whether a contractor can deliver,” Kirchner says. According to the CIF, contractors’ financial performance is affected by years of economic decline and a shortage of projects. This has reduced their turnover, which can make it harder to qualify for new contracts where bidders must demonstrate a strong financial record. The federation also questions technical requirements that demand proof of having completed…