The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has expressed cautious optimism following Works Minister Veikko Nekundi's announcement that the construction industries bill is nearing submission to the Cabinet's legislation committee. CIF Chief Executive Bärbel Kirchner stated that this development has renewed hopes within the construction sector for the establishment of a construction council, a goal that has been elusive for over a decade. The bill was first presented to parliament in 2010.
Previous attempts to push the bill through have been met with unfulfilled promises, warranting caution according to Kirchner. In 2010, a bill reached the National Assembly under former Works Minister Erkki Nghimtina. Furthermore, at the 2019 economic growth summit, the government committed to establishing a construction council by the end of the 2019/20 financial year. Former Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila had also assured parliament of the council's establishment to support the local industry.
Extensive consultations were facilitated by then Works Deputy Minister James Sankwasa, leading to further work on the legislation. By 2022, a revised draft had reached the Cabinet and been discussed by its legislation committee under then Minister John Mutorwa, with Nekundi serving as deputy minister. The CIF remains hopeful that renewed momentum will translate these promises into legislation and implementation.
The CIF had previously proposed measures such as contractor registration and categorization, matching project sizes to local capacity, smaller contracts, and targeted training in its 2020 presentation to parliament. An effective council, working alongside procurement authorities, could have supported these measures years ago. This includes dividing large contracts into manageable lots to widen participation, retain skills, and strengthen local businesses.
The CIF has also welcomed the local contractors development programme aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The programme includes viable business models that reduce reliance on government contracts. A construction council could help identify training and development needs and match contractors with projects suitable to their experience and resources.
The federation has suggested a pilot programme could begin before the council is fully established. Additionally, concerns have been raised about skills shortages across the wider construction industry. An analysis of its members' needs has identified gaps at technical, supervisory, and senior levels. These shortages require attention as new industries create competing demand for skilled workers.
The CIF argues that skills development should extend beyond small contractors to include the broader workforce. This will help the sector prepare for new projects while retaining experienced personnel. The establishment of a construction council and implementation of the proposed measures could help address these challenges and support the growth of Namibia's construction industry.
Key points
- The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia urges concrete action on the long-awaited construction industries bill.
- The bill aims to establish a construction council to support the local industry.
- The CIF proposes measures such as contractor registration and categorization to broaden access to public projects.
