Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has appointed new boards of directors for the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) and the Namibia Estate Agents Board (NEAB), with directives to improve industrial park operations and strengthen regulation of the property sector.
The appointments were announced during the commissioning of boards for four public institutions in Windhoek on Wednesday.
The new NIDA board comprises Thaddius Maswahu, Tulimeyo Kaapanda, Mennesia Vilho, Mpasi Haingura, Aunie Gideon and Johny Smith.
Amutse tasked the board with addressing operational challenges affecting the agency’s industrial parks, including unpaid utility bills, service disconnections and underutilised facilities.
“NIDA has a demanding task: to make industrial assets support real economic activity. An industrial park is useful only when businesses can operate there, with essential services and sound management,” Amutse said.
He referred to reports from October 2026 indicating that Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare had directed NIDA to settle an outstanding electricity bill owed to the Gibeon Village Council to facilitate the restoration of power at the NIDA Industrial Park.
Amutse also highlighted the !Homs-Ai Industrial Park, which has been earmarked for development into a youth skills hub but remains unused following the disconnection of water and electricity services over unpaid bills.
“These reports point to a basic test for NIDA: a development plan must be matched by working services, clear responsibility and a credible operating arrangement,” he said.
The Minister directed the board to assess NIDA’s assets, finances, commitments and operational risks to identify facilities generating economic value and those requiring rehabilitation or revised management arrangements.
“I expect the NIDA Board to establish a reliable picture of the agency’s assets, finances, commitments and risks. It must distinguish assets that are producing value from those that need repair or a new operating plan,” Amutse said.
He further called for major investment projects to have clear implementation timelines, measurable targets and designated officials responsible for delivering results.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed NEAB board is chaired by Keuuavali Nashua, with Abel Sindano serving as Deputy Chairperson. Other members are Fabian David Tait and Josephina Nekongo.
Amutse tasked the board with preparing for the implementation of the Property Practitioners Act, 2024, which will expand the institution’s regulatory responsibilities.
He said the board must ensure that the necessary administrative systems, technical skills and public guidance are in place to strengthen consumer protection and professional accountability in the property sector.
“NEAB must be ready for that transition, including the systems, skills and public guidance needed to protect consumers and regulate a broader range of practitioners,” Amutse said.
The Minister also called on both boards to strengthen corporate governance, improve institutional performance and establish measurable priorities to ensure that their respective mandates deliver tangible benefits to the public.
