RCC board defends chief amid fuel tender controversy

The Roads Contractor Company (RCC) board has dismissed recent media reports regarding a N$1.5-million fuel tender and the awarding of a contract to traditional authorities.

RCC calls the reports an attempt to tarnish the reputation of acting executive officer Dasius Nelumbu.

In a statement sent to the media by board chairperson Lea Namoloh last week, the RCC maintained that the procurement of essential commodities like fuel is a standard necessity to ensure uninterrupted construction work, adding that the allegations are misleading and aimed at demoralising Nelumbu.

“It is because of Nelumbu that RCC is now able to construct a section of 15.5km without any assistance from the main sub-contractor on the Swakopmund-Henties Bay-Uis road construction project, a project which has been active since 2014. Such an achievement could not be achieved by past RCC chief executives, considering that Nelumbu only took office in March 2024,” she said.

According to Namoloh, on the administration front, Nelumbu managed to get RCC its good standing with the Social Security Commission and with the Namibia Revenue Agency, which the RCC did not have for over 10 years.

“He found some of our projects in a state where the contract cancellation was imminent.

You may recall that in April 2024, our client Roads Authority gave RCC 21 days notice to rectify the Engoyi-0Omuntel Low Volume Seal project or the contract will be cancelled.

Nelumbu promised to rectify and increase production capacity and he did so within the time given, otherwise this contract could have been cancelled and given to other contractors.

He stepped up and has done the job,” she said.

“Nelumbu further managed to ensure that the past financial years are audited and submitted to the finance ministry.

He also managed to produce the first ever annual report in nine years, an incredible achievement. The above are some of the many achievements he has achieved in a short period of time,” she said.

The Namibian recently reported that documents, dated 11 November 2024, reveal how RCC chief executive Nelumbu requested an urgent fuel purchase, with the request only bearing his signature.

The fuel was purchased from Eco Fuel Investment CC and the transaction was made on the same day Nelumbu requested the fuel. It was purchased at a cost of N$1.5 million.

REVENGE

According to Namoloh, there are various employees working against Nelumbu.

“The board is aware of RCC employees’ culture of entitlement and non-adherence to policies.

The board tasked Nelumbu to ensure that the policies are adhered to and those who commit misconduct are dealt with accordingly.

“Some employees who commit misconduct have been dealt with and it is evident that some of them are taking revenge through disseminating false or altered information to the media in an effort to tarnish Nelumbu’s name,” she said.

The Namibian also reported that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating Nelumbu over corruption allegations involving three tenders.

However, Namoloh said they will support Nelumbu and wait for the outcome of the ACC’s investigation.

“The board is fully aware of everything that is going on within the company, including what has been reported to the ACC.

We are in full support of our chief executive Nelumbu and we are able to see the massive progress he has made thus far.

“We will allow ACC to conclude their investigations as reported and await the outcome. Nelumbu has brought progress in RCC and we will continue to support him to achieve more.”

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