Martin Endjala
Heroldt Murangi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) says he does not report to the Landless People’s Movement and he has other important issues that need his attention instead of being asked about advertising billboards.
The CEO was responding to questions concerning a letter directed to him by the LPM Youth Command Element Leader, Duminga Ndala on Sunday.
NAMCOL launched its first illuminated double-sided LED billboard at a reported cost of N$2.3 million to advertise services and products of the institution.
Although this is seen as a gesture to reach a wider audience, Ndala said the amount involved is exorbitant and that the institution should have opted for a more affordable measure.
In the letter, the Youth Command Leader is seeking answers as to what informed the Institution to come up with such an amount.
Ndala also wanted to know if there was any research conducted to pay such an ‘exorbitant’ amount and what the breakdown of the cost for the billboard was.
Ndala also wanted to know if NAMCOL will launch similar billboards in other regions, and if so, how the exercise would contribute to the enrolment of students at the Institution.
“I don’t report to LPM Leader Youth Command on how NAMCOL should allocate its resources. I report to the Governing Board and my Minister, and there were no objections from their side. I have have more important issues to deal with, other than attending to youth leaders who do not take the interest of the NAMCOL students at heart,” Murangi added.
Ndala responded saying that NAMCOL is a public institution funded by taxpayer money and the public ought to know how their money is being used.
“Just because there was no objection from the Minister or Board doesn’t mean that it is right for them to launch billboards at such an exorbitant amount. NAMCOL should have used that money to invest in infrastructural development instead,” argued Ndala.
Additionally, she noted that the reason why they raised this issue is because they are concerned about students and the operation of the institution.
