NamPower weighs exec’s contract amid qualification questions

The NamPower board is reportedly considering renewing the contract of the utility’s executive for power generation, Gerson Rukata, for a further five years, amid questions over whether a qualification condition attached to his appointment in 2021 was ever fulfilled.

Documents seen by Namibian Sun show that Rukata's appointment five years ago followed a board decision to amend the qualification requirements for the position, allowing candidates without a master's degree or master of business administration (MBA) qualification to be considered.

The board resolved that any successful candidate who did not possess either qualification at the time of appointment would be required to obtain one within two years of being appointed.

Board records indicate that, prior to the recruitment process, NamPower approved amendments to the job profiles for both the executive for power generation and executive for transmission positions.

"The board considered the recommendations by the remuneration and nomination committee (Remco) and amended the job profiles for the positions of executive generation and transmission by removing the requirement of a master's degree or MBA.

"The required qualification is now a BSc degree and registration with the Engineering Council of Namibia. A master's degree or MBA should be considered as an advantage," the documents state.

"The board further resolved that should the successful candidate not possess a master's degree or an MBA, he/she would be given a period of two years within which to obtain either a master's degree or an MBA," the 2021 board resolution states.

The issue has resurfaced as Rukata's initial five-year contract approaches its expiry in November.

Namibian Sun understands that, in terms of his employment contract, NamPower is required to notify him six months before the end of his term whether it intends to renew the agreement.

With that deadline now reached, insiders claim the board is considering whether to grant Rukata a second five-year term.

The matter is expected to be served before the board at its meeting today, where directors are set to deliberate on the future of the executive for the power generation position.

NamPower board chairperson Clive Kavendjii declined to comment on the matter.

"I have no comment on this," he told Namibian Sun.

"And this posture is predicated on the fact that I have no knowledge of what you are talking about. Whether the board is considering or has resolved to renew, I am not privy to such information. An issue like that has not been served before the board," Kavendjii said.

Qualification condition under scrutiny

The qualification requirement has become the focal point of questions surrounding Rukata's possible reappointment.

His appointment in 2021 drew criticism from the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), which questioned NamPower's decision to appoint an executive with a degree in agricultural engineering to head the utility's power generation division.

"Is there a certain speciality of the said position to lower the requirements?" union representatives asked at the time.

"Can it be established that this position was indeed taken for job evaluation, or that the requirements were tailor-made to accommodate individuals who could not meet the initial minimum requirements?"

Rukata holds a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Namibia.

NamPower defended the appointment at the time, citing his extensive experience within the organisation and his service in various technical and management positions across the utility.

Salary and benefits

The position of executive for power generation is the highest-paid executive role within NamPower's Grade 3 category.

According to records seen by this publication, Rukata's annual remuneration package amounts to N$3 million, translating to approximately N$251 000 per month.

In addition, his benefits reportedly include post-retirement medical aid, a benefit that sources claim is not extended to other executives within the same grade.

As head of power generation, Rukata oversees NamPower's electricity generation portfolio and plays a key role in planning and implementing projects aimed at strengthening Namibia's domestic electricity supply.

Questions remain unanswered

Rukata had not responded to questions sent to him by the time of publication.

Among the questions posed was whether he had obtained a master's degree or MBA as required by the 2021 board resolution and whether any exemption, waiver or extension had been granted should he have failed to do so.

NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu had also not responded to questions.

Namibian Sun sought the utility's assessment of Rukata's performance over the past five years and whether that assessment had informed discussions around a possible contract renewal.