Transport commission hits brick wall
MATHIAS HAUFIKU
WINDHOEK
Almost six months after being inaugurated, Namibia’s Transportation Commission cannot do its work due to suspicions raised over the eligibility of its chairperson - Rachel Nathaniel-Koch - to serve in that position.
The commission is responsible for regulating the transport industry, which includes, amongst others, issuing air services licences to aviation industry players.
There are currently 10 applications pending that cannot be processed due to the inactive commission.
The works ministry, however, claims there are measures put in place to ensure that the absence of the commission does not adversely impact regulatory work.
The Road Traffic and Transport Act, no. 22 of 1999, requires the chairperson to be a licenced legal practitioner who has practiced for at least five years.
Republikein reported last month that the Law Society of Namibia indicated that Nathaniel-Koch's name is not on the database of certified legal practitioners.
Concerned
At a press conference yesterday, transport minister John Mutorwa expressed concern over the inactivity of the commission.
“While there is no doubt around the validity of the other appointed members - Dr James Williams, Johannes Thikusho, Helvi Petrus and Joe Shipepe - the quarter cannot meet because, by law, only the chairperson can convene meetings.
“The Attorney-General is currently finalising legal advice. The question is whether the deputy chairperson of the Transportation Commission of Namibia is legally empowered to convene legally valid meetings of the commission,” a concerned Mutorwa asked.
Certificate of exclusion
Namibian Sun understands that last month, deputy executive director in the ministry's department of transport, Jonas Sheelongo – under whom the commission falls - was presented with a certificate of exclusion issued on 21 May 2013 by then justice minister Utoni Nujoma.
In it, Nujoma stated that he certifies - after consultation with the Legal Education Council - that Nathaniel-Koch is exempted from Section 5 (1) (cA) (i) (aa) of the Legal Practitioners Act of 1995 as she for a period of five years "performed a satisfactory service for the state at the Legal Aid Board”.
Mutorwa gave Nathaniel-Koch until 15 March to sort out her issues with the authorities or else risk being replaced.
WINDHOEK
Almost six months after being inaugurated, Namibia’s Transportation Commission cannot do its work due to suspicions raised over the eligibility of its chairperson - Rachel Nathaniel-Koch - to serve in that position.
The commission is responsible for regulating the transport industry, which includes, amongst others, issuing air services licences to aviation industry players.
There are currently 10 applications pending that cannot be processed due to the inactive commission.
The works ministry, however, claims there are measures put in place to ensure that the absence of the commission does not adversely impact regulatory work.
The Road Traffic and Transport Act, no. 22 of 1999, requires the chairperson to be a licenced legal practitioner who has practiced for at least five years.
Republikein reported last month that the Law Society of Namibia indicated that Nathaniel-Koch's name is not on the database of certified legal practitioners.
Concerned
At a press conference yesterday, transport minister John Mutorwa expressed concern over the inactivity of the commission.
“While there is no doubt around the validity of the other appointed members - Dr James Williams, Johannes Thikusho, Helvi Petrus and Joe Shipepe - the quarter cannot meet because, by law, only the chairperson can convene meetings.
“The Attorney-General is currently finalising legal advice. The question is whether the deputy chairperson of the Transportation Commission of Namibia is legally empowered to convene legally valid meetings of the commission,” a concerned Mutorwa asked.
Certificate of exclusion
Namibian Sun understands that last month, deputy executive director in the ministry's department of transport, Jonas Sheelongo – under whom the commission falls - was presented with a certificate of exclusion issued on 21 May 2013 by then justice minister Utoni Nujoma.
In it, Nujoma stated that he certifies - after consultation with the Legal Education Council - that Nathaniel-Koch is exempted from Section 5 (1) (cA) (i) (aa) of the Legal Practitioners Act of 1995 as she for a period of five years "performed a satisfactory service for the state at the Legal Aid Board”.
Mutorwa gave Nathaniel-Koch until 15 March to sort out her issues with the authorities or else risk being replaced.
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