Roads Authority develops framework to help local contractors participate in more projects
The Roads Authority is conducting a feasibility study on its Classification of Contractors’ Framework, aimed at establishing a list of pre-qualified local or SME contractors that will be eligible for participation in various road projects.
According to the Authority’s CEO, Conrad Lutombi, the study is anticipated to be completed and ready for implementation during the 2019/2020 financial year. Lutombi said that in order to fulfil its responsibility of providing a safe and efficient road sector, the Authority has established policies and strategies that develop and enhance the capacity of key service providers, especially the contractors and SMEs who execute both capital and labour-based road projects across the country.
“During the works for construction and maintenance on all Roads Authority road projects, 13 607 employment opportunities were created for Namibians. This is in line with the Authority’s SME Development Policy which takes cognizance of the fact that, creating employment is one of the major national development goals of Namibia,” Lutombi added.
Furthermore, Lutombi added, in terms of participation of Namibian versus foreign contractors, over the past five years, the Authority executed road works to the value of approximately N$16.5 billion.
Out of this amount, a total of N$9.25 billion value of works were executed by local contractors, translating to approximately 56.6% of the value benefiting local contractors while foreign contractors and Namibian/foreign joint ventures executed N$7.25 billion (43.94%).
For bigger capital projects, the Authority has advocated the awarding of road projects to joint ventures between well-established Namibian and international road contractor companies, primarily on the premise of skills transfer, capacity building and growing the Namibian road construction industry. These efforts will continue to benefit local contractors,” Lutombi said.
