Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Popular Democratic Movement( PDM) has written a letter to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, demanding the suspension of the Managing Director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga. PDM President McHenry Venaani said the suspension should be enforced within the next 48 hours. He however did not specify what action would follow, in the event that Shiimi does not suspend Mulunga.
It is reported that Mulunga is currently under investigation over his involvement in a payment of N$100 million to Angola, for oil blocks.
“Given the nature of the current events, and in the interest of the integrity of ongoing inquiries into the matter, we call upon the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises to suspend Immanuel Mulunga, Namcor’s managing director within the next 48 hours,” said McHenry Venaani.
He, in a press statement, said that his party will soon table a motion to initiate a parliamentary investigation into what he said “appears to be the mafia-style corporate governance, currently unfolding at Namcor”.
“The motion will move to have this investigation referred to a relevant parliamentary standing committee, fully invoking the powers of said committees to subpoena witnesses to appear before it, as provided for by the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act 17 of 1996,” Venaani’s representative Roberto Dirkse said.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Trevino Forbes on Tuesday also expressed deep concern about the debacle that unfolded at the Namibian Petroleum Corporation on Monday, in which Namcor Chairperson Jennifer Comalie was arrested for alleged drug possession, shortly before a meeting aimed at discussing Mulunga’s future at Namcor. Sources claim the board was set to discuss his dismissal and an exit package of N$ six million.
Comalie was subsequently granted bail of N$ 7000. She now faces three charges relating to dealing in illicit substances. The drugs are reportedly worth N$ 57 000.
“The developments surrounding Namcor have raised serious questions about the management of Namibia’s natural resources.
Namcor is a critical entity in Namibia’s oil and gas sector, and its proper function is essential for the country’s economic development and the well-being of its citizens,” Forbes said.
