Namibia’s Minister of Finance Iipumbu Shiimi has proposed a Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 to establish a specialized court for procurement disputes, addressing significant challenges in public procurement. The bill aims to enhance accountability and efficiency and is a priority in the Swapo Party’s Implementation Plan for 2025-2030, responding to issues related to prolonged legal disputes.
The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has introduced a bill to establish a dedicated court specifically for handling disputes related to public procurement. The Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 aims to address significant gaps in the implementation of the Public Procurement Act of 2015. This act, which became effective on April 1, 2017, promotes essential principles such as fairness and transparency in public procurement.
Shiimi emphasized that the proposed amendments are crucial for enhancing accountability and expediting dispute resolutions, thus improving transparency and efficiency in the procurement system. Additionally, the Swapo Party’s Implementation Plan for 2025-2030 highlights the need for a public procurement court as a top priority. The establishment of this court is viewed as a substantial advancement toward fulfilling these objectives.
The Minister noted that current challenges in public procurement often result in extended legal disputes, undermining essential service delivery and fair competition. Prolonged legal processes in acquiring essential goods, including pharmaceuticals and food supplies for schools, necessitate emergency procurement methods that can lead to increased costs and reduce competitive bidding.
To mitigate these issues, the amendment proposes the creation of a specialized court within the High Court that will efficiently adjudicate public procurement matters. This initiative is anticipated to rectify the existing hurdles in procurement processes and facilitate better service delivery.
The introduction of the Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025 signifies Namibia’s commitment to refining its public procurement processes. By establishing a dedicated court, the government aims to resolve procurement disputes expeditiously, thereby fostering transparency, efficiency, and accountability. This initiative addresses existing challenges and enhances the competitive procurement landscape in Namibia.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
