Hinda-Mbuende ready to take over Namcor

Newly appointed National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) acting executive officer Maureen Hinda-Mbuende says she is ready to takeover the fuel company despite her appointment attracting both positive and negative opinions.

Hinda-Mbuende, who started her role on Monday, says Namcor has the potential to be the driver of transformation, stating that leading the organisation is doable with the team as a collective.

“It will be my first day in the office with lineups of briefings. Allow me to acclimatise for a few days. I can tell you, it’s doable. Namcor is indeed at the centre of the prospects and potential prospects the industry presents and thus has an important role to play in building confidence both among ourselves as citizenry and the market.

“There is a foundation laid already. It’s not like it’s a new company for me to bring it to speed, and I am confident that as a collective, we can make it happen. The media is a critical partner to rebuild confidence and ensure success,” she says.

Hinda-Mbuende was appointed by minister of industries, mines and energy Natangue Ithete on Friday because of her experience in the corporate sector.

“Indeed, my track record speaks for itself, but let my output also speak for itself too,” she says.

According to Ithete’s congratulatory statement, Hinda-Mbuende will replace Victoria Sibeya effective 25 August.

“I believe that her experience, knowledge, courage and determination will steer Namcor through this current ‘not so easy’ chapter and lead the entity toward greater efficiency, innovation and national impact,” he said.

Hinda-Mbuende, who has experience in internal audit, is credited with exposing Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) and government medical procurement irregularities.

“Somebody asked about my legacy at the Ministry of Finance as deputy minister. At my first management meeting in April 2021, I requested a detailed report of the outstanding invoices of ministries, with the highest amounts being basic education and health. My trained eye can see red flags at a distance.

“The report highlighted the challenges of lack of delivery notes, proof of importation, duplicated purchase orders, etc. I immediately requested an internal audit assessment which led to a full-scale audit, which in turn led to a joint interministerial committee, and today medicine can be tracked all the way and there is an integrated purchase order system for controls. What is yet to be reported is outcomes, not 2025 work,” she says.

Namcor remains embroiled in the high-profile Fuelrot scandal, with allegations that around N$480 million was siphoned from the state-owned oil company through inflated fuel contracts, unpaid supplies and kickback schemes.

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