Lüderitz misses Ombudsman’s deadline

THE Lüderitz Town Council has failed to meet a deadline by the Ombudsman’s office to provide information about the council’s administration.

The Ombudsman requested the information on January 29 and asked that feedback be given within 28 days. The Namibian understands that the town’s Chief Executive Officer asked for another two weeks and the Ombudsman’s office granted the extension.The Ombudsman’s office requested the information after allegations of maladministration, nepotism and corruption were levelled against the council. The request for information contains questions ranging from the CEO’s employment contract to appointments of senior council employees, suspensions, town projects and audited financial reports.Information about an investment fund owned by the council was also requested. Anti-Corruption Commission Director Paulus Noa said that the ACC was also investigating allegations brought to the ACC’s attention regarding the administration of the Lüderitz Town Council. At the centre of the allegations is the appointment of a construction company granted a N$5,4 million contract to build low-cost housing. The company, Etula Construction CC, got the lion’s share of a N$14,8 million low-cost housing tender, awarded to four companies. Etula is said to have failed to deliver, since the housing development in Lüderitz’s Benguela township was supposed to be completed in 2008. Sources at Lüderitz claimed that Etula had links with the CEO, Inge Ipinge, and that she gave them preferential treatment and inside information. Ipinge could not be reached for comment. The Town Council is said to have terminated Etula’s contract after it was alleged that one of the owners was selling off building material meant for the project.This was said to have been happening although the housing project was not yet completed. The allegations submitted to the Ombudsman’s Office also claimed that the council had passed a resolution to extend the CEO’s contract to six years instead of five. The council is also accused of appointing someone who had been convicted of fraud in its finance department. It is alleged that the said person has connections with the chairperson of the council’s management committee. Lüderitz mayor Emilia Amupewa said she could not comment without the council instructing her to do so.