The Namibian government, through Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, has introduced a bill that aims to establish a specialized court for resolving procurement-related disputes. This move, part of the Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025, addresses existing gaps in the Public Procurement Act of 2015 and seeks to enhance accountability, efficiency, and fairness in public procurement processes.
The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has introduced a bill that proposes the establishment of a dedicated court to address procurement-related disputes in Namibia. This initiative, known as the Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025, seeks to rectify significant deficiencies identified in the execution of the Public Procurement Act of 2015. The Act, effective from April 1, 2017, aims to uphold principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, efficiency, competitiveness, effectiveness, and integrity within public procurement.
Shiimi articulates that the proposed amendments are essential for strengthening accountability and expediting dispute resolutions to enhance transparency, efficiency, and fairness in Namibia’s public procurement system. He highlights that the establishment of a public procurement court is part of the Swapo Party Implementation Plan for 2025 to 2030, marking its importance on the governmental agenda.
The Minister notes that the current procurement processes face challenges, leading to prolonged resolutions which can impede essential service delivery and pose barriers to fair competition. An example provided is the delays related to the procurement of critical goods like pharmaceuticals and food supplies for school hostels, which result in emergency procurements and unfair cost increases for the government, adversely affecting competitive bidding.
To mitigate these issues, Shiimi asserts that the amendment will create a specialized court within the High Court dedicated to efficiently handling public procurement matters. This court’s establishment is viewed as a pivotal step towards enhancing the adjudication processes related to procurement disputes in Namibia.
In conclusion, the proposed establishment of a specialized procurement court aims to rectify existing challenges in the public procurement system of Namibia. By addressing key issues such as protracted dispute resolution and enhancing fairness, transparency, and efficiency, this initiative not only seeks to streamline processes but also to foster a more competitive and accountable environment in public procurement. The amendment serves as a crucial component of the country’s broader development plans.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
