Lüderitz Waterfront CEO dismisses N$200 000 bonus claims

Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company CEO Fluksman Samuehl has dismissed allegations of a N$200 000 bonus and financial irregularities at the public enterprise as “wild” and “untrue” and challenged the MP behind them to take his evidence to the authorities.Samuehl was responding to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange, who asked finance minister Ericah Shafudah in the National Assembly on Tuesday to investigate the company’s executive remuneration, procurement practices, travel expenditure and financial management.“All those [things that were] discussed are devoid of truth, wild allegations,” Samuehl told Namibian Sun yesterday.“Honourable MP, if he has facts for wrongdoing, must approach an institution authorised to do investigations,” he said.Samuehl also took issue with the claims being aired in parliament, arguing that members should uphold the dignity of the National Assembly and concentrate on national issues.“With due respect, honourable members must uphold the decorum of the House. They must discuss national issues and not personalities,” he said.Mwashindange asked that the N$200 000 allegation be investigated, particularly amid claims that the state-owned company was not making a profit and some employees earned basic salaries of only N$3 000.Mwashindange also raised allegations that Samuehl claimed fees for attending board meetings and approved his own travel and subsistence allowances.The MP asked Shafudah to establish whether the reported payments were authorised and whether the company's financial management complied with the applicable requirements.He also sought clarity on alleged unauthorised travel and subsistence claims, and the company's arrangements for approving expenditure.Consultants and expenditureMwashindange also queried the appointment of human resources and information technology consultants and a principal agent, alleging that prescribed procurement procedures may not have been followed.He asked whether the appointments were made without formal contracts and whether the human resources consultant later engaged additional consultants.He also pointed to a finance executive allegedly suspended on full pay.The lawmaker called for an independent investigation into Samuehl’s conduct and the board’s oversight of the company, with findings reported to parliament and corrective, disciplinary or legal action considered if wrongdoing was established.Samuehl, however, rejected the allegations and maintained that anyone possessing evidence of wrongdoing should approach the institutions authorised to investigate such matters.Right of replyThe parliamentary exchange prompted National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to caution members against making unsubstantiated allegations about individuals who were not present to defend themselves.“Questions are intended to solicit answers in order to provide clarification,” she said.“Questions cannot be a platform for us to debate issues, and we should try as much as possible not to accuse other people who are not here to answer.”Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stressed that parliamentary accountability remained important but that members should use established mechanisms when raising allegations concerning possible misconduct.“This is not to say that people cannot be held to account,” she added.Waterfront developmentThe Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company was established in 1995 through a Cabinet resolution as a non-profit, state-owned enterprise to stimulate economic development, tourism, trade and investment in the southern coastal town.Its developments include Harbour Square, Market Square and the redevelopment of the historic Lüderitz Old Power Station into facilities for education, business, tourism and recreation.The second phase of the waterfront development has faced funding delays over the years, with government allocating N$88 million in 2024 towards its completion.Despite challenges, the company has continued to make visible progress, distinguishing it from several other waterfront initiatives in Namibia that have experienced prolonged delays or changes in development plans.The planned Walvis Bay waterfront and marina project was put on hold after Namport redirected land earmarked for the project towards activities supporting the emerging oil and gas industry.

Lüderitz Waterfront CEO dismisses N$200 000 bonus claims

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-15

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Lüderitz Waterfront CEO dismisses N$200 000 bonus claims

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-15

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