Martin Endjala
The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Iipumbu Shiimi, announced the launch of a comprehensive Five-Point Game Plan designed to tackle the underperformance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as part of the public enterprise reform program.
Shiimi shared this information during a year-end media briefing of President Hage Geingob at State House in Windhoek on Monday.
In response to questions about the financial challenges faced by the National Petroleum Company (Namcor), the persistent underperformance of the Roads Contractor Company (RCC), and issues surrounding TransNamib, Shiimi emphasized the government’s commitment to the reform program for public enterprises.
The Five-Point Game Plan, as outlined by Shiimi, will address five key areas. First and foremost is governance, with a focus on appointing effective board members, providing training, and ensuring their accountability.
Additionally, the plan aims to establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) within performance agreements, moving away from generic agreements.
The third point centres on performance management, with regular monitoring of both board members and management.
Shiimi stressed the importance of nurturing leadership within SOEs and creating a talent pool that benefits not only the enterprises themselves but also the broader Namibian community.
Another critical aspect involves the transformation of the holding company, a concept previously announced by the ministry. A roadmap is currently being developed to guide this transformation.
Shiimi reiterated that the primary goal of the Five-Point Game Plan is to ensure that public entities fulfil their mandates effectively.
He said the ministry is dedicated to upholding high standards within these SOEs while ensuring sustainability to continue providing essential services to the country. The launch of this comprehensive plan signifies the government’s commitment to improving the performance and accountability of SOEs, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of Namibia’s economy.
