RCC’s N$6M road tender to traditional authorities deemed illegal

Roads Authority (RA) executive officer Conrad Lutombi says the decision by the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) to award a N$6-million road tender to the Ondonga and Oukwanyama traditional authorities – despite both bodies lacking equipment and expertise – is illegal.

Lutombi told The Namibian on Tuesday investigations into the matter have been launched.

“From a regulatory point of view, this is not allowed. The RCC may not subcontract work to an entity that lacks equipment and expertise. Under clause 7 of the Instruction to Bidders, the contractor (RCC) may contract with a subcontractor. However, the RA must approve any such contract,” he said.

The RA is the main client for the tender to blade gravel roads atOndangwa and Oshakati, which they awarded to RCC. However, according to Lutombi, they are not aware of the involvement of the traditional authorities.

“However, we will launch an investigation into this matter. Should we find that the RCC has subcontracted work without the necessary approval, appropriate action will be taken as guided by the contract,” he said.

This comes after RCC’s acting executive officer Dasius Nelumbu confirmed that he had awarded the two traditional authorities the road tender as a “social allocation” to support the authorities and their affected communities.

The two authorities lack the capacity to carry out the grading unit project and subsequently subcontracted the work.

The Ondonga Traditional Authority subcontracted work to Joto Investment, led by Jonathan Amupolo, and the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority subcontracted to Kongom Group (Pty) Ltd, represented by businessman Kongo Mokaxwa.

The tender is for the maintenance of roads in the Ondonga and Oukwanyama authority areas for a period of two years at a cost of N$250 000 per month, amounting to N$6 million over two years.

THE CONTRACT

According to Lutombi, the RCC is allowed to engage registered subcontractors with adequate experience and capacity in areas where the RCC is lacking, in this case, regarding blading activities.

He said the matter will be investigated.

“Should we find that work was subcontracted contrary to the contract, we will take appropriate action guided by the contract,” he said.

The Namibian reported last week that documents indicate that Nelumbu personally delivered the tender to the Oukwanyama and Ondonga traditional authorities.

A letter dated 10 July 2024 shows that Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) secretary Frans Enkali accepted the tender.

“This letter serves to certify that the OTA has accepted the offer for the grading unit with appreciation. It further provides that the OTA has nominated Joto Investment, a small and medium enterprise, as the subcontractor, as per the RCC’s requirement, to work on behalf of the OTA. Additionally, the allocation of the tender has been communicated to Joto Investment, which in turn has accepted the offer,” the letter reads.

Enkali, in the letter, said the tender would contribute to employment in the area as well as “the eradication of abject poverty among members of the community”.

Another document, dated 12 August 2024, shows the RCC confirming Kongom Group as the successful subcontractor for the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority’s grading tender.

Andrew Naikaku, Oukwanyama Traditional Authority spokesperson, referred The Namibian to Fritz Nghiishililwa, the traditional authority’s secretary to Oukwanyama Queen Nelumbu.

According to documents seen by The Namibian, Nelumbu visited the two traditional authorities last year to hand over the awarding letter to Oukwanyama Queen Nelumbu and the head of the OTA, Fillemon Nangolo, on 5 July 2024.

“Please prepare and arrange my trip to the north starting from Friday, 5 July 2024 and returning 10 July 2024 to the Oukwanyama palace and to the Ondonga palace on 9 July 2024.

“This should be in order. Both letters are delivered in person to the queen of Oukwanyama and the king of Ondonga,” Nelumbu said in an email dated 3 July last year.

“When handing over the letters, it was me and two RCC employees who are site agents,” he said.

NELUMBU’S CONFIRMATION

Nelumbu last week defended the awarding of contracts to the traditional authorities, saying the aim was to support and empower local communities where the RCC has road projects.

“The traditional authorities have more visibility on businesses that operate in their communities and that have direct impact to its community members.

“The reason for this is that the proceeds of such projects also benefit the traditional authorities to enable them to better serve their communities,” he said.

Nelumbu said the RCC’s board of directors approved the awarding of contracts to the traditional authorities.

“I do not do project allocation, the collective internal process does so. This is a management collective effort, and not a single person’s action. A traditional authority is not at my or your level and should at all times be treated with the highest respect,” he said.

This week the RCC board dismissed recent media reports regarding a N$1.5-million fuel tender and the awarding of a contract to traditional authorities.

RCC called the reports an attempt to tarnish Dasius Nelumbu’s reputation.

A statement sent to the media by board chairperson Lea Namoloh maintained that the procurement of essential commodities like fuel is a standard necessity to ensure uninterrupted construction work.