NTB dismisses spending reports as deliberate ‘misinformation’

The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has confirmed that it has verified expenditure related to its board activities, which totalled approximately N$2.6 million from 1 April last year to date.NTB spokesperson Flora Quest said this figure is contrary to allegations that board members "pocketed N$2 million in five months."Recent media reports claimed that several NTB board members pocketed a combined N$2 million in travel allowances over a five-month period, with some directors allegedly taking in between N$300 000 and N$600 000 this year.Quest said that the N$2.65 million verified expenditure covered about N$737 739 in subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances, N$878 485 or air travel costs and N$661 377 for board secretarial and administrative services.She said that it also covered meeting venues and refreshments, operational costs as well as other operational expenses.“These costs are tied to the execution of official statutory functions, including governance meetings, compliance obligations, strategic planning and approved international representation. All expenditures are fully documented, auditable and in line with NTB’s annual budget,” Quest insisted. ‘Unfounded’ allegations Quest further clarified that the approved travel budget for the NTB board for the 2025/2026 financial year is N$2.3 million – not N$4 million, as has been claimed.This amount includes board fees totalling N$700 000 and operational support services of N$1.6 million, covering travel, venues, accommodation, secretariat support and meeting logistics.“Equally disturbing is the unfounded claim that the newly appointed CEO Sebulon Chicalu has pocketed N$1 million in travel expenditure during the first four months of his tenure. This allegation is not only grossly exaggerated but completely false,” said Quest.She said that between Chicalu’s appointment in March, he has undertaken four international trips, with a total S&T expenditure of N$158 643.Quest said that these trips were approved by the relevant authorities and served legitimate strategic objectives, such as enhancing Namibia’s visibility in international tourism markets, securing partnerships and investor interest and representing NTB at regional and continental platforms.“All associated costs are transparent, pre-approved and accounted for under NTB’s governance framework," Quest said. “It is clear that these misleading reports stem from a deliberate attempt by certain individuals to discredit the work and integrity of the NTB board and its executive leadership,” she added.Quest criticised the spread of misinformation, saying it undermines public trust, damages institutional credibility and seeks to distract from the progress made in repositioning Namibia’s tourism sector.“NTB condemns in the strongest terms any attempt to weaponise false information against public servants who are diligently executing their mandates.”She said NTB welcomes scrutiny "but only when it is based on facts, not on misinformation. We invite members of the media and the public to engage directly with NTB for verified information and to avoid participating in or promoting unverified claims that harm Namibia’s national interests.”

NTB dismisses spending reports as deliberate ‘misinformation’

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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NTB dismisses spending reports as deliberate ‘misinformation’

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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