Renthia Kaimbi
The Erongo Regional Council has launched a five-day procurement training programme aimed at addressing delays and administrative problems affecting project implementation and service delivery.
The training started on Monday at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism in Swakopmund, and it brought together members of the procurement management unit, bid evaluation committees and procurement committees.
Senior officials said weak procurement capacity and procedural challenges have delayed projects and affected the implementation of the council’s annual budget.
Erongo Regional Council chairperson and Karibib constituency councillor Lazarus Kanelombe, represented by Walvis Urban constituency councillor Albertina Nkoshi, said procurement remains one of the council’s most important administrative functions because it directly affects service delivery, project timelines and public confidence.
“The need to capacitate members serving in our internal procurement structures has become increasingly important in addressing the administrative and procedural challenges identified within our procurement environment,” Nkoshi said.
She said bid evaluation committees have struggled with delays caused by limited technical expertise and inadequate understanding of procurement rules, procedures and timelines.
Nkoshi also pointed to difficulties in securing a quorum for bid evaluation committees because some members become unavailable or withdraw during key stages of the evaluation process.
She said the disruptions often lead to delays in awarding contracts, expired bid validity periods and setbacks in implementing approved projects.
The councillor said the training comes at an important time as procurement activities for the new financial year begin.
“This training, therefore, will provide a vital opportunity to strengthen procurement administrative capacity and clarify responsibilities, develop compliance with the procurement procedures, and improve evaluation practices,” she said.
Nkoshi urged participants to strengthen accountability, ethical conduct and compliance with procurement laws.
She said all procurement evaluations must be conducted fairly, transparently and in line with the Public Procurement Act of 2015 and related regulations.
Nkoshi added that effective procurement administration is important for protecting public trust, improving internal controls and ensuring value for money.
She thanked the facilitators from the Public Policy Unit, organisers and officials involved in arranging the training.
Chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo, facilitator Phineas Nsundamo and other council officials also attended the opening session.
The training will continue until 22 May.
