Namibia’s finance minister has introduced a bill to create a court specifically for procurement disputes. This move, addressing gaps in the 2015 Public Procurement Act, aims to improve accountability, efficiency, and transparency in procurement. The establishment of the court is part of a broader strategy outlined in the Swapo Party Implementation Plan for the coming years.
The Namibian government, led by Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi, has proposed a bill to establish a dedicated court for resolving procurement-related disputes. This Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 aims to bridge the gaps identified in the implementation of the Public Procurement Act of 2015, which was initiated on April 1, 2017.
The original act was designed to promote essential principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, efficiency, competitiveness, effectiveness, and integrity in public procurement processes. Shiimi emphasizes the urgency of these amendments to strengthen accountability and expedite dispute resolution, thereby enhancing transparency and efficiency within the procurement system.
The establishment of a public procurement court was flagged as a priority in the Swapo Party Implementation Plan for 2025-2030, marking it as a significant initiative towards comprehensive procurement reform. Shiimi pointed to ongoing challenges in procurement processes, which face delays that inhibit essential service delivery and fair competition.
He cited issues like elongated legal disputes over the procurement of vital goods—such as pharmaceuticals and school hostel supplies—that have necessitated emergency procurement measures, resulting in escalated costs to the government and reduced competitive bidding. This proposed amendment aims to create a specialized court within the High Court to provide effective adjudication of public procurement matters, aiming to resolve these systemic issues.
The proposed Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 aims to create a dedicated court to expedite the resolution of procurement disputes in Namibia. This initiative responds to the identified shortcomings in the existing procurement framework, promoting fairness, efficiency, and accountability. By resolving prolonged disputes and enhancing competitive bidding, the bill serves to streamline processes critical for public service delivery.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
