AR Member of Parliament Job Amupanda raised concerns with Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah and Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi sounding the alarm over TransNamib’s plan to purchase 23 locomotives from a single U.S.-based company.
Associate Professor Amupanda warned that relying on one country for such a critical deal is risky. He noted that the decision bypassed standard public procurement procedures, which typically require open and transparent bidding. Instead, it appeared TransNamib opted for direct engagement with a single American company.
The MP highlighted that other nations source locomotives from multiple suppliers for national security reasons and questioned why Namibia was deviating from this practice. He also raised concerns about the currency used in the deal, citing past instances where foreign currency transactions led to unexpectedly high costs.
Addressing the Finance Minister, Amupanda asked, “What measures are we taking to ensure that this risk is mitigated? That’s the finance component.”
Turning to the Minister of Works and Transport, he demanded action to halt the high-risk procurement, suggesting potential corruption.
“We know we are new, but you can intervene; you can save our country by going to the procurement board and saying, ‘We can’t continue with a situation like that.’ Let’s follow public procurement, reset, and implement segmentation. Twenty-three locomotives from one country are a lot.”
Nekundi responded that he learned of the issue upon assuming office. After consulting TransNamib management and surveying practices in South Africa, Botswana, and private firms, all of which had diversified their locomotive sources, he ordered an immediate halt to direct procurement, citing constitutional compliance.
Last Friday, discovering his initial directive had been ignored, Nekundi issued another stern warning: those endangering the nation would face consequences. The TransNamib Chairperson has since pledged compliance.
“Today, I followed up with the chairperson, and he assured me that by Friday, they will finalize adjustments to align with my directives, procuring from multiple entities to diversify risk and avoid reliance on a single supplier.”