NCBN executives accused of faking N$105 000 Bangladesh trip

A meeting is set for Saturday to address allegations involving three senior officials from the National Collaborative Board of Namibia (NCBN), who allegedly received N$35 000 each to attend a youth summit in Bangladesh from 10 to 14 January this year.According to a source, an internal disciplinary hearing held on 5 April formed part of ongoing efforts to determine whether the trip took place as claimed.The officials in question – NCBN president Ingashipola Lucas, chairperson Rebecca Cornelius, and finance chief Agnes Paul – reportedly received a total of N$105 000 for the trip, which had been approved by the organisation’s highest decision-making body.The summit was described as a platform for youth leaders to gain international exposure and build global networks.Concerns were raised internally following the travel period, with questions emerging about whether the officials had in fact attended the summit.It was reported that some members claimed to have seen the officials at social venues in Windhoek during the summit dates. When asked to provide evidence of travel or participation, the officials allegedly stated that they were not photographed at the event because they had declined to sign photography consent forms.Allegations denied Lucas, responding to the allegations, denied any wrongdoing.“The funds we received were used for flights and accommodation, in accordance with our travel plans,” he said. He further denied claims of being spotted in Namibia during the trip and emphasised that he does not consume alcohol.“What would I be doing at bars?” he asked. "I do not drink alcohol." He added: "We are also actively in communication with the summit organisers to obtain and share photographic evidence or official records to further support our attendance."Regarding the 5 April hearing, Lucas clarified that while the NCBN constitution stipulates the president leads the disciplinary committee, he did not chair the session.“In the interest of neutrality, we invited external stakeholders to participate and oversee the process,” he said. Serious concernCornelius confirmed receiving N$35 000 for the summit and said: “As chairperson, I take these accusations seriously.”She added: “I will not comment in detail at this point, as the matter is currently under internal discussion."She confirmed that a meeting is scheduled for Saturday "to address it further. What I can confirm is that I received an amount of N$35 000, which I used to attend the summit as delegated by the organisation."At the time of reporting, Paul could not be reached for comment.Additional concerns have surfaced from within the organisation, including allegations that some leaders may have used identification documents of volunteers when applying for sponsorships. There are also claims of favouritism in awarding positions, allegedly in exchange for silence or loyalty.Funding allegations Questions have also been raised about Lucas’s recent acquisition of a vehicle, given his volunteer status. Lucas responded: “The vehicle in question is a shared family car and was not acquired using NCBN funds.”The organisation recently received N$4 million in funding from the US-based Lantos Foundation.Lucas affirmed that the funds are earmarked strictly for programme implementation and denied any suggestion of personal misuse.“My colleagues and I, who are currently being accused, were elected into our positions. Naturally, some of the individuals making these claims are those who contested and were not elected and are now trying by all means to destroy our reputations and, by extension, the credibility of the organisation we serve,” he said.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

NCBN executives accused of faking N$105 000 Bangladesh trip

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-12

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NCBN executives accused of faking N$105 000 Bangladesh trip

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-12

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