The CEO vacancy at the embattled National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) will be re-advertised, public enterprises ministry announced yesterday.
The announcement comes shortly after the ministry and the interim Fishcor board concluded that none of the five candidates interviewed presented the most preferred profile for the CEO post, and it will be in the best interest of the company to re-advertise the vacancy.
A total of 63 applicants responded to the public advertisement and 10 candidates were shortlisted and requested to partake in a psychometric test by an independent industrial psychologist.
Following these tests, five candidates were selected based on the outcome, and these individuals were invited to attend an interview on 23 April 2021.
Giving an update on the recruitment process, the ministry’s spokesperson, Johnathan Swartz, said the full report was submitted to public enterprises minister Leon Jooste on 5 May 2021, whereafter the ministry conducted a due diligence process.
“Following the due diligence and considering the crucial importance of filling the position with a person who presents the most preferred profile, the Ministry of Public Enterprises and the Fishcor board consulted on Friday, 2 July 2021, and concluded that none of the candidates has presented such, and it will be in the best interest of the company to re-advertise the position,” he said.
Fishrot accused Mike Nghipunya was the company’s recent substantive CEO.
The post became vacant last year when Nghipunya, who is facing trial, was relinquished from the position.
Certain legal complications needed to be overcome before the position could finally be advertised in November 2020.
In April 2021, the interim board of Fishcor appointed Ruth Herunga as the interim caretaker of Fishcor and its subsidiary Seaflower Whitefish Corporation.
Swartz clarified Herunga has not applied for the position during the first round.
He added that she will also not be eligible to do so during the second round due to the fact that she is a sitting board member of the company.
“Due to the existing leadership vacuum in the company, the board requested her to act as caretaker CEO until a suitable replacement is identified, and we want to thank her for her commitment and diligence in executing this function, where evident stability has been brought about in the company,” Swartz indicated.
The temporary board had earlier said it is working on a turnaround strategy in line with the integrated business plan of the minister of public enterprises action plan for the sustainability and stability of the company.
- anakale@nepc.com.na