Report on NTB's progress expected by September
In light of recent allegations of unjust labour practices and mismanagement at the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), a progress report must be submitted to tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta in September following an investigation into the NTB's operations.
Shifeta told Namibian Sun that the investigation was conducted in January and February.
The findings were communicated to the NTB board and they were instructed to implement certain directives.
Although workers recently called for NTB CEO Digu !Naobeb to be investigated and for the board to be dissolved, Shifeta said there had already been an investigation into these issues and another investigation was not necessary.
“I have given the board a task to perform on how things must be done at the NTB and what the CEO must do to perform his duties properly. We have done an investigation and found out what was not being properly done. We have already communicated to the board how things must be done.”
The investigation was conducted by the ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Seimy Christoph-Shidute, and environmental commissioner Theofilus Nghitila, who is now the acting permanent secretary too. They conducted interviews with NTB staff based in Windhoek.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told Namibian Sun that the directives were only communicated to the board and management in July. They were given three months to submit a progress report.
According to Muyunda the board was directed that the NTB's management information system must be completely overhauled. Furthermore the board and management must engage with staff to set strategic objectives for the short, medium and long term.
The board and management had to clarify policies that have a bearing on the mandate on NTB and the conduct and performance of staff.
This month NTB staff took to the streets to protest against alleged unfair labour practices and mismanagement at the NTB. According to a staff petition there is no compliance with internal corporate policies such as recruitment and selection, procurement and affirmative action.
They also raised the Kora Awards debacle, saying the NTB had spent over N$1 million on legal fees after paying the Kora organisers N$23 million, yet it failed to budget for staff development programmes.
Another grievance related to cost-cutting on foreign trips. Referring to a directive restricting international travel to two people per trip, the staff said the NTB had sent six people to conferences in Germany and South Africa despite having staff in those countries.
The fact that the NTB has been without a public relations officer for several years was another issue that was raised.
“In the absence of a PRO the company has failed to source a reputable advertising agency that would be able to produce a newsletter, do stakeholder engagement, brand management and media relation activities for the board.”
In response to the petition, !Naobeb said the NTB had no company lawyer and therefore outsourced its legal services. With regard to international travel, he said the budget for board members' trips had been approved by the public enterprises minister.
ELLANIE SMIT
Shifeta told Namibian Sun that the investigation was conducted in January and February.
The findings were communicated to the NTB board and they were instructed to implement certain directives.
Although workers recently called for NTB CEO Digu !Naobeb to be investigated and for the board to be dissolved, Shifeta said there had already been an investigation into these issues and another investigation was not necessary.
“I have given the board a task to perform on how things must be done at the NTB and what the CEO must do to perform his duties properly. We have done an investigation and found out what was not being properly done. We have already communicated to the board how things must be done.”
The investigation was conducted by the ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Seimy Christoph-Shidute, and environmental commissioner Theofilus Nghitila, who is now the acting permanent secretary too. They conducted interviews with NTB staff based in Windhoek.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told Namibian Sun that the directives were only communicated to the board and management in July. They were given three months to submit a progress report.
According to Muyunda the board was directed that the NTB's management information system must be completely overhauled. Furthermore the board and management must engage with staff to set strategic objectives for the short, medium and long term.
The board and management had to clarify policies that have a bearing on the mandate on NTB and the conduct and performance of staff.
This month NTB staff took to the streets to protest against alleged unfair labour practices and mismanagement at the NTB. According to a staff petition there is no compliance with internal corporate policies such as recruitment and selection, procurement and affirmative action.
They also raised the Kora Awards debacle, saying the NTB had spent over N$1 million on legal fees after paying the Kora organisers N$23 million, yet it failed to budget for staff development programmes.
Another grievance related to cost-cutting on foreign trips. Referring to a directive restricting international travel to two people per trip, the staff said the NTB had sent six people to conferences in Germany and South Africa despite having staff in those countries.
The fact that the NTB has been without a public relations officer for several years was another issue that was raised.
“In the absence of a PRO the company has failed to source a reputable advertising agency that would be able to produce a newsletter, do stakeholder engagement, brand management and media relation activities for the board.”
In response to the petition, !Naobeb said the NTB had no company lawyer and therefore outsourced its legal services. With regard to international travel, he said the budget for board members' trips had been approved by the public enterprises minister.
ELLANIE SMIT
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