Martin Endjala
CONSTRUCTION works on the Usakos and Karibib road will start next month and the expected completion of the project is March 2025.
A media statement issued last Friday by the Roads Authority (RA), said during the construction period, the RA will ensure that works are carried out diligently to minimise any inconvenience to motorists and residents in the vicinity.
The road bid which is worth over N$ 343 million will be carried out by a Chinese company Zhong Mei Engineering Group, after the firm successfully won the bid to rehabilitate the 30.04 kilometer road between the two towns in the Erongo region.
RA said as part of its strategy to promote participation of local contractors in all national road construction projects and in line with Section 2 of the Public Procurement Act, four separate bills for works will be executed by local contractors.
“The contractors are Ino Investment Holdings cc for Bridge works, Tangeni OM Trading cc for Culverts and Drains, West Trading cc for Concrete Kerbing and Paving, Alugodhi Trading cc for Gabions, Guard rails.
“The combined value of the works reserved for the above-mentioned local Namibian Contractors is N$ 63,866,074.19 (excluding VAT) and amounts to 25.18 percent of the total contract amount. Furthermore, approximately 500 employment opportunities will be created for Namibians during the construction period,” reads the statement.
RA said that the bid was awarded in line with section 55 of the Public Procurement Act, 2015 (Act No. 15 of 2015), and the successful bidder was procured through Open International Bidding process in line with section 30 of the Public Procurement Act, 2015 and the KfW procurement guidelines.
According to the RA, the bid evaluation and subsequent appointment of the bidder was conducted based on section 52 of the Public Procurement Act, 2015, and the requirements as outlined in the issued bidding document both during the pre-qualification and bidding stage.
“Hence, Zhong Mei Engineering Group met all the specified requirements, including those outlined in section 52 of the Public. In compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2015, a seven-day standstill period was allowed for bidders to submit their objections after the bid evaluation was completed. One objection was lodged and the concerns were attended to accordingly, before the RA proceeded with the Award. Hence, the appointment of the successful contractor fully complied with the provision of the Public Procurement Act, 2015 and KfW regulations. However, any aggrieved bidder may still approach the review panel to seek recourse,” reads the statement.
The statement added that the project will be financed by the KfW Development Bank, through a loan to the Namibian Government from a Germany Financial Cooperation with Namibia, under the National Development Plan 5 support Programme at a total cost of N$ 343,655,335.64 (inclusive of VAT).
“This project marks a significant step towards enhancing our infrastructure and improving road safety on the B2 road. Accordingly, the RA is confident that Zhong Mei Engineering Group and the Sub Contactors will bring their expertise and dedication to ensure the successful completion of this project,” stated the statement.
