Nida boss on third probation extension

Eighteen months after his appointment as CEO of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida), Mihe Gaomab II is yet to be confirmed in the role after his contract was extended three times.

This month could be his last on the job if a watershed meeting between him and the board, slated for 10 October, does not resolve to confirm him in the job and grant him another probation extension.

The former Namibia Competition Commission CEO was appointed as Nida CEO in April 2021.

The first six-month probation period ended in October 2021, with the board allegedly unsatisfied with his performance.

Two more probationary extensions, the latest ending this month, were agreed to.

"The second probation was agreed to because the board felt, maybe because of Covid-19 disruption, the CEO couldn’t perform optimally. It was on those grounds that it was extended," a board member told Namibian Sun.

Too much left undone

At the core of the board’s displeasure is Gaomab’s alleged failure to develop an integrated business plan and ensure it was ready for board approval. He was also tasked with securing a N$100 million loan, for which government was to provide a guarantee.

Gaomab is also accused of failing to properly transfer assets and staff of the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) and the Offshore Development Company (ODC) into Nida. NDC and ODC were incorporated into Nida after Cabinet approved the merger in 2015.

Making matters worse is Nida’s acute financial challenges, with Namibian Sun reporting last week that the company owes Namibia Health Plan (NHP) medical aid fund a month's contributions – to the tune of about N$700 000 - which were meant to be settled before 7 September.

Members left in the lurch

According to Wessel !Nanuseb, Nida’s senior manager for corporate services and human resources, the NHP benefits of 65 active members and 63 pensioners have been suspended. Nida also has 128 members who belong to the Namibia Medical Care (NMC) fund. These members are still covered by NMC, despite Nida also being in the red with that fund,!Nanuseb explained last week.

Salaries for Nida employees were again delayed this month, officials told Namibian Sun. Widespread media reports in August about the state of the Nida’s Kavango Cattle Ranch, where dozens of cattle died allegedly due to poor leadership, also weigh heavily against Gaomab’s legacy at the company.

Fairness critical

New Nida board chairperson, Sebby Kankondi, said the probation extensions were conducted by the previous board, adding that his board will make its own decision regarding Gaomab’s position.

"We are three weeks into the job, so we have to be fair to the company, and Mihe is part of that company. If he performs, no problem. If he doesn’t, something has to be done."

Kankondi said the 10 October meeting is not being convened specifically to deal with Gaomab’s status at the company.

"It’s a routine board meeting; an inaugural meeting of the new board," he told Namibian Sun yesterday.

When contacted for comment last week, Gaomab said: "I am still employed as the CEO of Nida."

An official close to the matter said: "Part of why they haven’t fired him yet is because they want to handle this matter within the principles of the labour law."

Nida’s main agenda is to advance Namibia’s industrialisation in line with the country’s policies and developmental strategies.