Central Procurement Board of Namibia faces tender dispute

The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) is facing accusations of using foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) concerns as a pretext to bypass competitive bidding for a veterinary cordon fence project. The dispute involves the cancellation of a tender previously awarded to China Jiangxi International JV Homefin Properties CC for N$126.37 million.

In its place, the CPBN awarded a N$122.08 million contract to Punchu Trading CC JV China State Construction Engineering Co. Southern Africa through an emergency procurement process. The CPBN maintains that the decision was necessary because the FMD outbreak in neighboring South Africa was spreading toward the Namibian border faster than expected, creating an urgent need for the 185-kilometer fence.

The project includes 155 kilometers along the Orange River and 30 kilometers between the Klein Menasse and Mata Mata border posts in the //Kharas Region.