NamPower chief ‘re-aligns’ his big guns

NAMPOWER Managing Director Paulinus Shilamba raised eyebrows among staff on Friday afternoon when he announced a mini-reshuffle in the company’s top structure, with former Chief Technical advisor Reiner Jagau effectively demoted.

Although the announcement was made to Windhoek-based staff members on Friday, the company yesterday remained tight-lipped on the moves. A senior manager at the power parastatal said it was a “re-alignment…re-allocation” of duties, and denied that there was unhappiness among the affected general managers.”They all got letters and signed them, which means they accepted the offers,” the senior manager, who declined to be named, told The Namibian.Under the new structure, which came into operation on Sunday, Jagau is the new General Manager for Special Projects such as the Kudu Gas project, Caprivi link, NamPower Investments and new works.He was replaced by Berthold Mbuere ua Mbuere, who is the new Chief Operating Officer and basically the second-in-charge.Three general managers, Dr Sackey Akweenda (Legal and Corporate Services), Lucia Shipena (Investment and Commercial Development) and Ophelia Netta (Human Resources) have been moved into the MD’s office as support staff.Dr Akweenda has a new title – that of legal advisory services – while Netta will be responsible for performance management co-ordination.Shipena, who was previously in charge of NamPower’s investments, was moved to the NamPower Foundation, which will operate from the office of the Managing Director.One observer commented that it appeared as if Shilamba was “consolidating his power”.Simson Haulofu (GM: Generation), Foibe Namene (GM: Energy Trading) and Baronice Hans (GM: Finance and Administration) kept their jobs while Isac Tjombonde (GM: Corporate Services) had his expanded to include human resources and marketing.Braam Vermeulen, who previously also worked for NamPower’s company Premier Electric, was promoted to General Manager: Transmission.Sources said Dr Akweenda would retire soon and would not be badly affected by the reshuffle but that Jagau’s was “a huge demotion”.The Namibian was unable to establish how the moves have affected the salaries of the affected people.John Kaimu, Manager for Corporate Communications, said they had a media briefing planned for tomorrow to explain everything.A senior manager at the power parastatal said it was a “re-alignment…re-allocation” of duties, and denied that there was unhappiness among the affected general managers.”They all got letters and signed them, which means they accepted the offers,” the senior manager, who declined to be named, told The Namibian.Under the new structure, which came into operation on Sunday, Jagau is the new General Manager for Special Projects such as the Kudu Gas project, Caprivi link, NamPower Investments and new works.He was replaced by Berthold Mbuere ua Mbuere, who is the new Chief Operating Officer and basically the second-in-charge.Three general managers, Dr Sackey Akweenda (Legal and Corporate Services), Lucia Shipena (Investment and Commercial Development) and Ophelia Netta (Human Resources) have been moved into the MD’s office as support staff. Dr Akweenda has a new title – that of legal advisory services – while Netta will be responsible for performance management co-ordination.Shipena, who was previously in charge of NamPower’s investments, was moved to the NamPower Foundation, which will operate from the office of the Managing Director.One observer commented that it appeared as if Shilamba was “consolidating his power”.Simson Haulofu (GM: Generation), Foibe Namene (GM: Energy Trading) and Baronice Hans (GM: Finance and Administration) kept their jobs while Isac Tjombonde (GM: Corporate Services) had his expanded to include human resources and marketing.Braam Vermeulen, who previously also worked for NamPower’s company Premier Electric, was promoted to General Manager: Transmission.Sources said Dr Akweenda would retire soon and would not be badly affected by the reshuffle but that Jagau’s was “a huge demotion”.The Namibian was unable to establish how the moves have affected the salaries of the affected people.John Kaimu, Manager for Corporate Communications, said they had a media briefing planned for tomorrow to explain everything.