Fishcor
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The National Fishing Corporation (Fishcor) has applied to be considered in the allocation of fishing quotas, and wants its status as the recipient of the ‘development objectives’ quotas restored.
The application is being made to ensure the survival of the company, chairperson of the company’s temporary board Mihe Gaomab II told Namibian Sun.
Government recently stripped Fishcor of ‘development objectives’ quotas as the parastatal finds itself the subject of a high-profile police investigation following the Fishrot bribery scandal.
He said the company made a submission to be allocated quotas for 2020/2021.
The company was awarded quotas in August to help sustain jobs, but Gaomab pointed out that Fishcor would require a significant quota allocation to sustain its operations.
“The quota allocated did address immediate operational and employee needs of Fishcor, but I am afraid that although necessary, this was not sufficient for addressing the viability of the corporation on a stable and sustainable basis,” he said.
Gaomab said he was hopeful the ministry of fisheries would respond positively to the call.
“We remain optimistic that the minister of fisheries will hear our call to allocate sufficient quotas to Fishcor now that pertinent governance issues have been addressed and internal controls and company policies are to be revisited to avoid any repeat of the past in its totality,” he said.
“We hope [and] we expect a favourable response as we are tirelessly turning around the strategic, operational and commercial position of Fishcor,” he added.
For survival
According to him, the allocation would be sufficient to ensure the company’s survival.
Such an allocation would assist the corporation in ensuring a stable and sustainable path to financial soundness, he said, adding that the board’s “utmost priority” is “safeguarding employment of its subsidiaries”.
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste informed Namibian Sun last week that the Gaomab-led board has been tasked with rescuing the company.
“I tasked the board to work on a strategy to revitalise the company and they are busy doing exactly that,” Jooste said.
Troubles
Fishcor’s troubles started when CEO Mike Nghipunya was suspended and arrested alongside the company’s former board chairperson James Hatuikulipi as investigations into the parastatal continue.
Also locked up while awaiting trial are former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, businessman Tamson Hatuikulipi and Hanganeni employee Pius Mwatelulo.
They have been charged with money laundering and bribery.
The charges stem from allegations that Nghipunya, Esau, Shanghala and James used their positions to obtain N$75.6 million, paid to them or entities of their choice, between August 2014 and December 2019.
The money was allegedly paid through DHC Incorporated, the law firm of Maren de Klerk, who is currently in South Africa.
Transparency key
Government has to find a transparent and credible system to replace Fishcor as the beneficiary of its ‘development objectives’ fishing quotas, information minister Peya Mushelenga indicated in August.
He was responding to criticism regarding government’s auctioning off of fishing quotas to raise much-needed funds for its Covid-19 response.
This, he said, was “to achieve accountability that the proceeds, unlike in the past, will directly be paid into the state revenue account, with a view to prevent any further abuse and to ensure that the proceeds from this quota are made part of the budget tabled in parliament”.
WINDHOEK
The National Fishing Corporation (Fishcor) has applied to be considered in the allocation of fishing quotas, and wants its status as the recipient of the ‘development objectives’ quotas restored.
The application is being made to ensure the survival of the company, chairperson of the company’s temporary board Mihe Gaomab II told Namibian Sun.
Government recently stripped Fishcor of ‘development objectives’ quotas as the parastatal finds itself the subject of a high-profile police investigation following the Fishrot bribery scandal.
He said the company made a submission to be allocated quotas for 2020/2021.
The company was awarded quotas in August to help sustain jobs, but Gaomab pointed out that Fishcor would require a significant quota allocation to sustain its operations.
“The quota allocated did address immediate operational and employee needs of Fishcor, but I am afraid that although necessary, this was not sufficient for addressing the viability of the corporation on a stable and sustainable basis,” he said.
Gaomab said he was hopeful the ministry of fisheries would respond positively to the call.
“We remain optimistic that the minister of fisheries will hear our call to allocate sufficient quotas to Fishcor now that pertinent governance issues have been addressed and internal controls and company policies are to be revisited to avoid any repeat of the past in its totality,” he said.
“We hope [and] we expect a favourable response as we are tirelessly turning around the strategic, operational and commercial position of Fishcor,” he added.
For survival
According to him, the allocation would be sufficient to ensure the company’s survival.
Such an allocation would assist the corporation in ensuring a stable and sustainable path to financial soundness, he said, adding that the board’s “utmost priority” is “safeguarding employment of its subsidiaries”.
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste informed Namibian Sun last week that the Gaomab-led board has been tasked with rescuing the company.
“I tasked the board to work on a strategy to revitalise the company and they are busy doing exactly that,” Jooste said.
Troubles
Fishcor’s troubles started when CEO Mike Nghipunya was suspended and arrested alongside the company’s former board chairperson James Hatuikulipi as investigations into the parastatal continue.
Also locked up while awaiting trial are former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, businessman Tamson Hatuikulipi and Hanganeni employee Pius Mwatelulo.
They have been charged with money laundering and bribery.
The charges stem from allegations that Nghipunya, Esau, Shanghala and James used their positions to obtain N$75.6 million, paid to them or entities of their choice, between August 2014 and December 2019.
The money was allegedly paid through DHC Incorporated, the law firm of Maren de Klerk, who is currently in South Africa.
Transparency key
Government has to find a transparent and credible system to replace Fishcor as the beneficiary of its ‘development objectives’ fishing quotas, information minister Peya Mushelenga indicated in August.
He was responding to criticism regarding government’s auctioning off of fishing quotas to raise much-needed funds for its Covid-19 response.
This, he said, was “to achieve accountability that the proceeds, unlike in the past, will directly be paid into the state revenue account, with a view to prevent any further abuse and to ensure that the proceeds from this quota are made part of the budget tabled in parliament”.
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