Cabinet rejects NamPower Board proposal on CEO

CABINET is reported to have rejected a recommendation by the Board of NamPower on the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer to replace CEO Leake Hangala, and has questioned the integrity of the process.

The recommended shortlist of candidates was tabled before Cabinet on Tuesday. Topping the list is Paulinus Shilamba of the Electricity Control Board (ECB).The Cabinet decision to reject the recommendation and refer the matter to President Hifikepunye Pohamba comes at a critical time in Namibia’s history: the country faces possible power shortages and cutbacks in the wake of South Africa’s current energy crisis and Namibia’s national power utility is working on urgent measures to address this.Meanwhile, sources in Government say that the NamPower Board shortlisted the candidates for the post of CEO in the following order of preference: Paulinus Shilamba of the ECB as the first choice; G Enkara, formerly of Namdeb; Steve Haihambo of the Roads Contractor Company; B Wessels, employed by Pupkewitz; and finally, Hangala himself.HANGALA vs BOARD This was submitted to Cabinet on Tuesday, but they rejected the recommendation.Late last year, Hangala was acquitted on internal disciplinary charges levelled against him by the Board of the parastatal, a move seen in some quarters as a bid to oust him.The Board had taken Hangala to task on grounds that he exceeded his powers in approving a N$65-million electricity upgrade contract.Contacted yesterday, Hangala had only a terse “no comment” on reports of the Cabinet’s decision.It was not possible to reach the Prime Minister or Minister of Mines and Energy for comment on the matter, and Cabinet has not yet pronounced itself publicly on the issue.However sources say some Ministers questioned the integrity of the interviewing process and decided to refer the issue to the President.The same Board had lost their recent case against the NamPower CEO, and could even be perceived to be biased against him.It was also noted that Hangala, despite being seen to manage one of the few parastatal ‘success stories’ in the country, had been placed last on the list of recommended candidates for the post.Hangala’s contract expired in last year, and was renewed until March of this year while the post was re-advertised.A committee, composed of the following NamPower Board members: Andries Leevi Hungamo, State House advisor and Chairperson of the Board; Gerson Narib from the Attorney General’s office, Penda Kiiyala of the Road Fund, Rauna Hanghuwo of the Roads Authority and Pedro Maritz, consultant; and joined by the Permanent Secretary of Mines and Energy, Joseph Iita, and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, interviewed and shortlisted the candidates for approval by Cabinet.Approached for comment on Cabinet’s rejection of their recommendation, NamPower Board Chairperson Hungamo said “it’s news to me”.He said he could merely confirm the shortlisted names as reported on NBC television on Tuesday evening, but would not comment further until he had been informed of the Cabinet decision.Currently Namibia faces a critical power shortage and Hangala has already announced plans to invest N$8 billion over the next four years to strengthen Namibia’s capacity to import power from countries other than South Africa while working to make certain long-term projects, such as Kudu Gas, a reality.In the meantime, Hangala said recently, NamPower was working hard to minimise the effect of future shortages.Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Kapofi, was out of the country, and could not be reached for comment.Topping the list is Paulinus Shilamba of the Electricity Control Board (ECB).The Cabinet decision to reject the recommendation and refer the matter to President Hifikepunye Pohamba comes at a critical time in Namibia’s history: the country faces possible power shortages and cutbacks in the wake of South Africa’s current energy crisis and Namibia’s national power utility is working on urgent measures to address this.Meanwhile, sources in Government say that the NamPower Board shortlisted the candidates for the post of CEO in the following order of preference: Paulinus Shilamba of the ECB as the first choice; G Enkara, formerly of Namdeb; Steve Haihambo of the Roads Contractor Company; B Wessels, employed by Pupkewitz; and finally, Hangala himself. HANGALA vs BOARD This was submitted to Cabinet on Tuesday, but they rejected the recommendation.Late last year, Hangala was acquitted on internal disciplinary charges levelled against him by the Board of the parastatal, a move seen in some quarters as a bid to oust him.The Board had taken Hangala to task on grounds that he exceeded his powers in approving a N$65-million electricity upgrade contract.Contacted yesterday, Hangala had only a terse “no comment” on reports of the Cabinet’s decision.It was not possible to reach the Prime Minister or Minister of Mines and Energy for comment on the matter, and Cabinet has not yet pronounced itself publicly on the issue.However sources say some Ministers questioned the integrity of the interviewing process and decided to refer the issue to the President. The same Board had lost their recent case against the NamPower CEO, and could even be perceived to be biased against him.It was also noted that Hangala, despite being seen to manage one of the few parastatal ‘success stories’ in the country, had been placed last on the list of recommended candidates for the post.Hangala’s contract expired in last year, and was renewed until March of this year while the post was re-advertised.A committee, composed of the following NamPower Board members: Andries Leevi Hungamo, State House advisor and Chairperson of the Board; Gerson Narib from the Attorney General’s office, Penda Kiiyala of the Road Fund, Rauna Hanghuwo of the Roads Authority and Pedro Maritz, consultant; and joined by the Permanent Secretary of Mines and Energy, Joseph Iita, and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, interviewed and shortlisted the candidates for approval by Cabinet.Approached for comment on Cabinet’s rejection of their recommendation, NamPower Board Chairperson Hungamo said “it’s news to me”.He said he could merely confirm the shortlisted names as reported on NBC television on Tuesday evening, but would not comment further until he had been informed of the Cabinet decision.Currently Namibia faces a critical power shortage and Hangala has already announced plans to invest N$8 billion over the next four years to strengthen Namibia’s capacity to import power from countries other than South Africa while working to make certain long-term projects, such as Kudu Gas, a reality.In the meantime, Hangala said recently, NamPower was working hard to minimise the effect of future shortages.Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Kapofi, was out of the country, and could not be reached for comment.