The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) is likely to hold interviews for a substantive Chief Executive Officer this month, five years after it has been headed by the Board of Directors, an official has revealed.
The fate of the current Acting Administrative Head and Chairperson, Amon Ngavetene and other Board Members who have served two terms now hangs in the balance, following the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises’ (MFPE) calling for applicants for board positions.
“In two weeks’ time, I am informed that interviews will be conducted. This was decided to separate powers between the board and the administration, as currently, the board chairperson runs everything,” said MFPE Deputy Minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende.
Mbuende added that she has faith in the operations of CBPN hence a separation of powers will even add more value.
The restructuring process was also confirmed by Ngavetene who said the board has already concluded the advertising and also compiled a long list and short list of candidates to be interviewed for the CEO position.
“It has been a long way coming, and it’s time there is a CEO, unlike now where I do both. So, in the next few weeks we will be notifying successful applicants,” he said.
Queried about his future being a founding member whose tenure is lapsing next year, he said he has been preoccupied with such a nightmare.
CPBN currently has a total of 40 employees from 64 approved positions. In addition to the CEO, it plans to recruit four executives, two middle management, eight senior managers, and one general staff over the next five years, increasing the staff complement to 54.
“This has been a nightmare for me lately, trying to figure out whether, whether I will be staying or pave way for others. As it stands there will be seven vacant positions as most of us our tenure is ending in 2024, while two are progressing until 2026. I will only be clear on what happens next in the few coming weeks,” he said.
On that note, his fate to stay is dependent on the Minister’s prerogative.
Briefly chatting about his nearly six-year journey, the chairperson stressed that it is painful to evaluate tender documents only to end up in court due to objections, something he says delays execution.
“We try so hard to finish evaluations, reviews and awards, but it is so stressful and painful, when you find such awards being contested, and this may take eight or more months in court before actual work can commence,” he said, citing it as one of his turbulent journeys.
On the bright side, he said the board has over the years managed to transform the tender processes and awards by enhancing transparency, fair awarding and turnaround evaluation time.
He adds that the board has been able to review and evaluate bids within 30 days.
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