Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi revealed on Wednesday that the Procurement Policy Unit (PPU) conducted 18 investigations on public entities for the period 2017/18– 2019/20 to ensure compliance with the country’s procurement regulations.
“The enactment of the Public Procurement Act has provided a huge improvement from the repealed Tender Board Act of 1996, and subscribes to international standards in respect of public procurement standards and governance. Through its implementation, the following key institutions have been established to bringing about the required governance structures aimed at promoting and ensuring transparency and accountability in the procurement system,” Shiimi said , while motivating for the unit’s annual report in Parliament.
According to the PPU annual report, public entities investigated include the Social Security Commission , Ministry of Land Reform, Namibian Airports Company , Katima Mulilo Town Council , Omaruru Municipality, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health and Social Services, and Namibia University of Science and Technology.
During 2019/20, the PPU undertook 10 investigations to establish whether the provisions of this Procurement Act were complied with at the Usakos Town Council, Swakopmund Municipality, Ohangwena Regional Council, Ministry of Land Reform, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Social Services, City of Windhoek and Roads Authority, with two the matters investigated recommended to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation and handling.
The PPU was established in terms of Section 6 of the Public Procurement Act with among other functions to: advise the Minister on policy matters in procurement, promote capacity in procurement, and conduct investigations in procurement.
