Nekundi gives RA board six months to deliver
Urges board to deliver value to the public
The interim board is expected to recruit a new CEO, as current chief executive Conrad Lutombi's term is set to end in December.
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has warned that both management and boards of public enterprises must be held personally and politically accountable for bad governance.
Nekundi made the remarks on Sunday morning during the inauguration of an interim seven-member board of the Roads Authority (RA) in Windhoek, which he tasked to ensure the authority does not miss deadlines or exceed budgets that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions in penalties as part of its mandate.
The members are Martins Kambulu, Dr Selma Karuaihe, Reinhard Bohmer, Getrude Xawes, Werner Ngashikuao, Chamberlain Hengari and Hamutenya Kristian Hamutenya.
The minister underlined that public enterprises must operate under strict corporate governance principles, including transparency, responsibility and accountability.
“You are not accountable to management; you are accountable to the ministry and the Namibian public,” he said to the board members on Sunday, underscoring that their primary duty is to oversee management, not protect it.
He also warned that shielding management from scrutiny would not be tolerated, adding that corruption is “a form of treason” – a signature phrase of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – and that the board must uphold integrity and ensure public resources deliver value.
“Every day a road project is delayed, it costs millions to the country. There can be no excuses,” the minister said.
The interim board, comprising professionals from various fields including law, accounting, engineering and human resources, is expected to provide strategic leadership, operational efficiency and ensure financial sustainability.
Nekundi urged the board to take a hands-on approach in addressing challenges, including unpaid contractors and employees, as well as escalating project costs.
High-energy board
The minister explained that the board was appointed for a six-month term to address pressing issues within the Roads Authority.
The team is tasked with urgently recruiting a new CEO, as the current chief executive, Conrad Lutombi, has had his term extended only until December.
Nekundi said there would be no further extensions to Lutombi’s contract.
“Don’t come to me to ask for an extension. If you do, I will fire all of you,” he warned.
He added, however, that he trusts the board members to address problems quickly.
"We will not regret these appointments,” he said.
He said the members of the board were chosen based on their proven track records in their respective industries, professional rankings, prior board experience and their ability to commit time and energy to the authority.
“Because the time is short, we need that energy,” he added.
Primary duty
Nekundi also highlighted the importance of regional and professional diversity on the board, noting that members were selected from engineering, human resources, legal, procurement and other key sectors to ensure a balanced mix of expertise.
The minister stressed that the board’s mandate is clear: drive performance, combat malpractice and align the Roads Authority’s operations with government priorities.
“The government expects this board to provide strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability and drive operational efficiency," he said.
"The responsibility is yours. Oversight will be provided, but leadership and accountability must come from you."
Nekundi made the remarks on Sunday morning during the inauguration of an interim seven-member board of the Roads Authority (RA) in Windhoek, which he tasked to ensure the authority does not miss deadlines or exceed budgets that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions in penalties as part of its mandate.
The members are Martins Kambulu, Dr Selma Karuaihe, Reinhard Bohmer, Getrude Xawes, Werner Ngashikuao, Chamberlain Hengari and Hamutenya Kristian Hamutenya.
The minister underlined that public enterprises must operate under strict corporate governance principles, including transparency, responsibility and accountability.
“You are not accountable to management; you are accountable to the ministry and the Namibian public,” he said to the board members on Sunday, underscoring that their primary duty is to oversee management, not protect it.
He also warned that shielding management from scrutiny would not be tolerated, adding that corruption is “a form of treason” – a signature phrase of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – and that the board must uphold integrity and ensure public resources deliver value.
“Every day a road project is delayed, it costs millions to the country. There can be no excuses,” the minister said.
The interim board, comprising professionals from various fields including law, accounting, engineering and human resources, is expected to provide strategic leadership, operational efficiency and ensure financial sustainability.
Nekundi urged the board to take a hands-on approach in addressing challenges, including unpaid contractors and employees, as well as escalating project costs.
High-energy board
The minister explained that the board was appointed for a six-month term to address pressing issues within the Roads Authority.
The team is tasked with urgently recruiting a new CEO, as the current chief executive, Conrad Lutombi, has had his term extended only until December.
Nekundi said there would be no further extensions to Lutombi’s contract.
“Don’t come to me to ask for an extension. If you do, I will fire all of you,” he warned.
He added, however, that he trusts the board members to address problems quickly.
"We will not regret these appointments,” he said.
He said the members of the board were chosen based on their proven track records in their respective industries, professional rankings, prior board experience and their ability to commit time and energy to the authority.
“Because the time is short, we need that energy,” he added.
Primary duty
Nekundi also highlighted the importance of regional and professional diversity on the board, noting that members were selected from engineering, human resources, legal, procurement and other key sectors to ensure a balanced mix of expertise.
The minister stressed that the board’s mandate is clear: drive performance, combat malpractice and align the Roads Authority’s operations with government priorities.
“The government expects this board to provide strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability and drive operational efficiency," he said.
"The responsibility is yours. Oversight will be provided, but leadership and accountability must come from you."
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