Namibia: Anti-Graft Body Summons Airports Boss

What the report says

Namibia’s Anti-Corruption Commission has summoned Namibia Airports Company chief executive Bisey Uirab for questioning as investigators look into reported procurement and governance concerns at the state-owned airport operator. According to The Namibian, Uirab met with the ACC last Monday after the commission asked for information tied to matters under review at the company.

ACC director general Paulus Noa confirmed the meeting but declined to discuss the substance of the inquiry, citing confidentiality. The commission has not said whether the questioning could lead to further steps. A source cited by the newspaper linked the ACC’s request to issues raised after a separate investigation ordered in late July by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi.

That earlier review reportedly examined vehicles allocated or sold to management, procurement procedures and human resources issues. Nekundi had said any suspected irregularities would be referred to the ACC. The case is unfolding alongside NAC’s 21 September decision to suspend all procurement activity temporarily, a move that has raised concern about possible effects on airport operations.

Former NAC board member Matthew //Gowaseb warned that a broad freeze could disrupt safety-critical purchases and services, including lighting, maintenance, firefighting, security and fuel-related contracts. More generally, public procurement reviews at airports can matter because delays in essential spending may affect operational safety and continuity, even while governance probes continue.