Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Balloti has given a response to concerns raised by the leader of the Body of Christ Party, Festus Thomas, regarding the emergency procurement of tents worth N$1.6 million during the 2022/2023 financial year by the Otjozondjupa Directorate of Education.

Thomas alleges that procurement procedures were violated, and bidding documents and other mandatory procurement records for these tents are missing.

The Deputy Minister confirmed that the head office transferred an amount of N$1 million to secure the procurement of tents, but the quote was higher than the budgetary provision.

"The ministry is fully aware of the incidents regarding the procurement of tents by the Otjozondjupa Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture during the 2023 academic year. The matter was formally brought to the ministry's attention through internal correspondence from the Executive Director. This was followed by concerns raised by the Otjozondjupa Council of Procedural Irregularities."

The Deputy Minister further explained why procurement procedures were not followed.

"There was an emergency and an urgency to provide learners with classrooms at the time. The ministry's intention was to follow the emergency procurement method as stipulated in section 33 of the Public Procurement Act number 15 of 2015. However, some steps may have been overlooked due to the pressing needs of the learners at the time."

Balloti said the ministry has put mechanisms in place to ensure that similar incidents do not occur.