Acting Public Enterprises minister and Finance minister Ipumbi Shiimi has made two new appointments to the TransNamib board following the resignation of Lionel Matthews and Sigrid Tjijorokisa.
Johanna Hatutale and Pombili Ndeunyema have been appointed board members of the state-owned rail operator on a three-year term until 31 August 2025.
As part of the board changes, Gaenor Michaels and Josephine Shikongo-Asino were retained as board members
Board members Michael Ochurub, Erastus Ikela and Vicent Mberema’s term is expected to end on the 7th of October 2022.
“For the members whose term ends on the 7th of October 2022, arrangements are being made to fill these vacancies in due course, including the vacancy left by the former Chairperson.”
The national railway operator is currently incurring a N$10 million monthly loss due to delays in securing funding for its Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) which was coined in 2018, with the aim of turning around the financial fortunes of the rail operator into a profitable entity.
To remedy its precarious financial position, TransNamib is set to auction off property to raise N$2.5 billion needed for the implementation of its turnaround plan.
The disposals, which have Cabinet approval, will see the rail operator hold a series of auctions starting this month for both vacant and improved properties in Windhoek, Seeis, Okahandja, Otavi, Karibib, Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Maltahohe and Keetmanshoop, as it seeks to leverage the assets to raise the much-needed revenue.