Amta chairperson denies conflict over Bokomo job

Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta) board chairperson Lorna Shikongo-Kuvare is facing questions over a potential or perceived conflict of interest arising from her full-time employment at Bokomo Namibia, with both entities involved in grain processing and maize-meal production.

Shikongo-Kuvare said her employment has been disclosed to the relevant line ministers and that Amta’s governance procedures require directors to declare and recuse themselves whenever an actual, potential or perceived conflict arises.

She previously served as general manager for regulations at the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) while chairing Amta’s board. She joined NAB in April 2021 before moving to Bokomo, where she is now general manager.

The concerns stem from the commercial overlap between the two entities. Amta has expanded its grain-processing operations at Katwitwi in Kavango West, where it processes white maize and mahangu into maize meal and flour under its Golden Fresh brand.

Bokomo, meanwhile, produces and markets Champion Super Maize Meal and Champion Sifted Maize Meal.

Amta is also responsible for managing Namibia’s national strategic food reserve, with grain released through the Office of the Prime Minister’s disaster risk management directorate for distribution under government relief programmes.

Insider concerns

Amta insiders questioned whether the overlap could become problematic when the agency and private grain processors compete for institutional or government markets.

“She is expected to advance Amta’s business while working full-time for Bokomo, which sells competing maize-meal products,” an Amta insider told Namibian Sun.

They also questioned how potential conflicts are handled when matters involving grain processing, procurement or institutional markets come before the board.

Agriculture ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry was aware of the perceived conflict but had no evidence that Shikongo-Kuvare’s Bokomo position had compromised her Amta responsibilities.

“The ministry is confident that, in her capacity as chairperson of the Amta board, Ms Shikongo-Kuvare is expected to discharge her responsibilities with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and objectivity,” he said.

Muyunda said evidence of an actual conflict, non-disclosure or governance breach should be submitted to the ministry or Amta board.

He did not confirm whether Shikongo-Kuvare declared her Bokomo position when she joined the company or whether she had recused herself from specific Amta decisions that could affect Bokomo.

Conflict denied

Shikongo-Kuvare denied that her employment at Bokomo constitutes an actual conflict, saying potential conflicts are managed through Amta’s disclosure, declaration and recusal procedures.

“Ms Shikongo-Kuvare’s employment by Bokomo does not, in itself, constitute an actual conflict of interest,” she said in a written response issued through Amta.

She said Amta’s governance framework does not prohibit directors from holding managerial positions at private companies operating in the same sector, provided disclosure, confidentiality and conflict-of-interest requirements are observed.

She said her employment status had been disclosed to the relevant line ministers and that directors’ declarations of interest are filed at intervals prescribed by Amta’s policies.

Shikongo-Kuvare added that the board does not participate in day-to-day tenders, grain procurement or commercial contract awards, which are handled by designated structures under the Public Procurement Act.

“Real, potential or perceived conflicts are formally disclosed if and when they arise, and affected directors recuse themselves from all related deliberations and decision-making,” she said.

She further denied involvement in Bokomo’s tendering processes or government contracts involving grain processing, maize meal or drought-relief programmes.

She said she has “no knowledge of, involvement in, or dealings with” government procurement deliberations involving grain-processing contracts or Amta’s possible consideration as a government supplier.