Airport parastatal mum on vehicle scam allegations

THE Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is remaining tight-lipped on allegations that three of the parastatal’s managers are unfairly benefiting from a “twin vehicle scheme”, as reported in a local newspaper.

New Era reported on Monday that three NAC managers had been allowed to buy personal cars under a vehicle scheme the NAC has in place for its managers, while also having full-time use of company cars. Members of the NAC management spoken to dismissed the allegations as “rubbish”, but declined to elaborate on the company’s position.”We’re still verifying some of the information,” NAC Legal Advisor Sakkie Kadhila Amoomo told The Namibian, saying that the company might issue a formal statement at a later stage.”I can tell you right now that the story is rubbish,” he said, “but I would have loved to give you more information.”The company’s Senior Manager for Business Development and Corporate Communication, Sikongo Haihambo, also declined to comment.All he would say was that the NAC would either hold a press conference or place an advertorial in the newspapers when it was ready to respond.One of the managers allegedly benefiting from the scheme, Walvis Bay Airport Manager Dirk Booysen, said he had not been contacted for comment on the allegations before the story was published.He too would not comment further.The NAC is a State-owned entity in which the Ministry of Finance holds all shares on behalf of Government.When contacted for comment, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Calle Schlettwein said he was unaware of the allegations, and that the NAC board would have to comment on the situation.Members of the NAC management spoken to dismissed the allegations as “rubbish”, but declined to elaborate on the company’s position.”We’re still verifying some of the information,” NAC Legal Advisor Sakkie Kadhila Amoomo told The Namibian, saying that the company might issue a formal statement at a later stage.”I can tell you right now that the story is rubbish,” he said, “but I would have loved to give you more information.”The company’s Senior Manager for Business Development and Corporate Communication, Sikongo Haihambo, also declined to comment.All he would say was that the NAC would either hold a press conference or place an advertorial in the newspapers when it was ready to respond.One of the managers allegedly benefiting from the scheme, Walvis Bay Airport Manager Dirk Booysen, said he had not been contacted for comment on the allegations before the story was published.He too would not comment further.The NAC is a State-owned entity in which the Ministry of Finance holds all shares on behalf of Government.When contacted for comment, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Calle Schlettwein said he was unaware of the allegations, and that the NAC board would have to comment on the situation.