NHE defends Hailulu over restructuring

THE NHE has responded to criticism against a restructuring process currently taking place at the company, as well as against its CEO Vincent Hailulu.

Last week, the Namibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) called for Hailulu’s removal following a decision by the NHE to retrench 31 of its 99 employees. Nafinu president Dawid Shikulo claimed that the company had been going downhill since Hailulu’s appointment in 2005, and that he had been responsible for workers becoming demoralised.He further claimed that the NHE hadn’t completed a single house since Hailulu’s appointment.The NHE, in an unsigned statement on Thursday, said that a conciliation board set up by the Labour Commissioner’s office found nothing wrong with the restructuring and reorganisation of the company.This conciliation board, it stated, was set up after Nafinu declared a dispute of interest in October last year, in which it accused the NHE of violating the Labour Act and relevant policies of the company.”Surely, this tells a big story that the restructuring and reorganisation of NHE was done in line with the relevant provisions of the Labour Law.And if Nafinu or any of the affected employees feel that the company did something wrong legally speaking, they can pursue the legal recourse as provided for in the laws of the land…” the company stated.Regarding Hailulu’s alleged incompetence as CEO, the company said Nafinu unfairly judged him merely a year after he was appointed to the position.”It is fair and logical to allow Mr Hailulu more time to prove himself and to prove those who doubt his ability and capabilities wrong.After all, he still has four years to go as per his five-year contract,” the company stated.Listing a number of successes Hailulu has achieved so far, the NHE said that over 300 houses had been developed in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Eenhana and Swakopmund, and more projects were under way countrywide.Hailulu was credited with being instrumental in setting up a clear corporate strategy and housing development plan for the company, something that had been lacking until his appointment.Other successes accredited to him were the war veterans’ houses being built for Government – which are set for completion within the next two months – and a national housing conference held in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.Nafinu’s attack on Hailulu was seen as an immature way of handling organisational issues, the NHE said, aimed only at tarnishing his reputation and credibility.Nafinu president Dawid Shikulo claimed that the company had been going downhill since Hailulu’s appointment in 2005, and that he had been responsible for workers becoming demoralised.He further claimed that the NHE hadn’t completed a single house since Hailulu’s appointment.The NHE, in an unsigned statement on Thursday, said that a conciliation board set up by the Labour Commissioner’s office found nothing wrong with the restructuring and reorganisation of the company. This conciliation board, it stated, was set up after Nafinu declared a dispute of interest in October last year, in which it accused the NHE of violating the Labour Act and relevant policies of the company.”Surely, this tells a big story that the restructuring and reorganisation of NHE was done in line with the relevant provisions of the Labour Law.And if Nafinu or any of the affected employees feel that the company did something wrong legally speaking, they can pursue the legal recourse as provided for in the laws of the land…” the company stated.Regarding Hailulu’s alleged incompetence as CEO, the company said Nafinu unfairly judged him merely a year after he was appointed to the position.”It is fair and logical to allow Mr Hailulu more time to prove himself and to prove those who doubt his ability and capabilities wrong.After all, he still has four years to go as per his five-year contract,” the company stated.Listing a number of successes Hailulu has achieved so far, the NHE said that over 300 houses had been developed in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Eenhana and Swakopmund, and more projects were under way countrywide.Hailulu was credited with being instrumental in setting up a clear corporate strategy and housing development plan for the company, something that had been lacking until his appointment.Other successes accredited to him were the war veterans’ houses being built for Government – which are set for completion within the next two months – and a national housing conference held in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.Nafinu’s attack on Hailulu was seen as an immature way of handling organisational issues, the NHE said, aimed only at tarnishing his reputation and credibility.