Namibians can't do the job? Come on!

[Uncle Paul]

So some of our very own leaders believe we cannot do the job?

Minister Helmuth Angula apparently said recently that Namibian construction companies do not "have the capacity to take on large projects like the rehabilitation of the final 47 kilometres of the Aus-Lüderitz railway line." Really now? So no single Namibina engineering company has the skills or wherewithall to do the job, then? Never mind we have some world-class engineers?

And how about his stance on Namibian construction workers? Apparently they cannot work with Chinese workers because "they have a different culture". Really now, Mr. Angula! You are right here, but let's remember who is who here! Does Namibia belong to the Chinese? The last time I looked out of my window I saw a whole lot of Namibians walking up the steet next to my house. Not Chinese. Who's "culture" then do you prefer? Ours or theirs? And what culture exactly? Paying people low wages? Often treating them like lesser human beings?

So , the reasoning seems to go in some Government circles, that this preference is enough reson to actually push for Chinese workers to do construction work in Namibia!! What a disgrace! A Namibian "leader" suggesting that construction projects have to be done by Chinese companies with Chinese workers because local companies and workers basically are not up to the task and don't share the same culture.

Is it any wonder we as a nation are not progressing if our leaders keep telling us how backward we are.

Shameful, really. I happen to believe Namibian construction companies and workers are up to the job if given the chance on a level playing field. As it is, we are being literally invaded by Chinese workers and traders, and most of this at the expense of our own people!!!!!

[Mie1]

To our jack-in-the-box PM: DINK OOR!!!

[Comrade_007]

The Government's stance with regard to Chinese workers is baffling. Why would a different yardstick apply toChinese workers and companies than to any other nationality?

It seems to me there is quite a bit of double-standards being applied here, where Chinese companies and workers get preferrential treatment for political reasons.

Maybe the Government should start applying its own laws!!

[Andrew1]

It looks like Namibian construction companies are starting to fight back. I came across this article in the Namibis Economist last week. Good for them, and good luck. ItT is about time these murky matters are brough tout in the open and the rays of accountability shine on the matter:

Tender Board faces lawsuit in Chinese saga
Written by Desie Heita

The Tender Board is being hauled before the courts for awarding a government construction tender to a Chinese company that, allegedly, does not comply with the Affirmative Action Act.

Murray & Roberts and Namibia Construction are requesting the High Court to stop China Nanjing International from commencing work on the head offices of the Ministry of Lands, Resettlement & Rehabilitation in Robert Mugabe Avenue.

The tender is reportedly worth N$74.4 million.

Namibia Construction and Murray & Roberts want the High Court to set aside and impose a review on the decision to award the tender. In effect, the two are asking the High Court to declare the awarding of the tender null and void on the basis of several sections in the Affirmative Action and Labour Acts. They say the decision breaches Article 12 and 18 of the Namibian constitution.

They argue that their fellow Chinese construction company did not meet many of the pre-requisites stipulated in the tender such as being compliant with the Affirmative Action Act and the Labour Act.

The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication and the China Nanjing International are also being dragged to the court, together with the Tender Board, as second and third respondents. The case is scheduled to be heard before the High Court this Friday.

The two displeased contractors say to allow the continuance of the contract between government and China Nanjing International “would be tantamount to endorsing unlawful action” on the part of the Tender Board, the works ministry and China Nanjing International.

Namibia Construction and Murray & Roberts had first tried to express their grievances to the Minister of Works and the Tender Board, to whom they wrote a letter immediately after the awarding of the tender. The two contractors, through their lawyers, had asked Minister Joel Kaapanda and the Tender Board secretary Meriam Onesmus for a review of the decision that gave the tender to the Chinese company. Onesmus responded that the Chinese company had complied with the entire requirements.

“The Tender Board is of the view that the ground of review enumerated in your letter are devoid of any substance and will not withstand judicial scrutiny,” Onesmus wrote in her letter.

However, Namibia Construction and Murray & Roberts are convinced that China Nanjing International failed to demonstrate its compliance with regulations prescribed by the Tender Act. This includes the failure to comply with section 111 of the Labour Act, section 42 of the Affirmative Action Act.

They also say the Tender Board, by awarding the contract to the Chinese company, failed in its duties as prescribed by its constituting act, thus failing to “apply its mind properly to the matter”. They further say the Tender Board “failed to apply its mind properly in terms of the common law and Articles 12 and 18 of the Namibian Constitution” and “made an adjudication which is contrary to the law of Namibia”.

Section 111 of the Labour Act requires construction companies to be party to the collective agreement concluded between the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union and the Construction Industries Federation. The collective agreement pertains to minimum wage in the construction industry as set by the union and the federation.
Section 42 of the Affirmative Action Act is said to prevent the State from entering into any agreement with a relevant employer who does not possess an up-to-date Affirmative Action Compliance certificate.

When approached for comments, Onesmus declined and referred all questions to government attorneys. The lawyers for Namibia Construction and Murray & Roberts also declined to comment, saying the matter is sub judice.

[pangkas]

Helmuth Angula must be a fool to believe this rubbish.

Helmuth Angula, you know as much as we all know that Namibians can construct the rail road even beter then the Chinese. Namibians have developed this country longer then the period you spent in self proclaimed exile. You and all the rest should still face your court cases for fleeing the country and let us to fight the struggle.

Mr. Angula, you and your SWAPO comrades should stop believing in your own lies. The Chinese must leave this country. Africa are for Africans. Stop selling the country out!!! Namibia belongs to the Namibians!!! Helmuth Angula, stop believing that you are untouchable. Stop playing with tax payers money as if it's your own.

[Rafiki]

we have a long history with china in tanzania. former president Nyerere turned to the People's Republic of China as main foreign partner and the chinese build a brand new railway for Tanzania from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi, named the TAZARA railway. there are many chinese coming here too. the Chinese are slowly taking over the economy. but they are also smart willing to work hard and they take risks. but sometimes you can see people are not happy especially the people without work and some contracts go to chinese companeis when there are local business people.

[theman]

is mos logical - ignore your own peeps at your own peril. maar ek dink dinge verander- of so hoor ek. the other day vertel 'n tjommie that now chinese companies dont have a easy ride anymore with the tender board en sulke dinge. is the law issue that is being applied of sulke dinge. kom ons hoop mense en as dit die case is then we have to give credit where it is due to our Gov.