BR boss walks
Bame Piet | Friday February 24, 2017 17:16
His abrupt departure comes with just over a month left to the end of his contract.
Unless something happens by the weekend, Mmegi has learnt that Ntwaagae will not be reporting for duty on Monday. It has emerged that tensions between the CEO and Board of Directors had escalated in recent months to point that there is no communication, forcing the minister to intervene.
Mmegi has learnt that the intervention saw to the minister of Transport and Communications Kitso Mokaila dissolving the board, with immediate effect, and appointing a new one, which awaits Cabinet approval.
“As recent as December, the board could not form quorum to discuss critical issues affecting the company, leaving the CEO’s hands tied in decision making,” a source said.
The BR Board of directors is made up six members, including the CEO as an ex-officio member.
Mmegi has learnt that the situation was so bad between the board and the CEO perpetuated by the procurement of passenger train coaches that were believed to be second hand. The CEO has served five years in two different contracts, first in a three-year contract, which was extended for two years, which is supposed to end in March. However, he is reportedly leaving next week. The board has also been replaced and awaiting cabinet approval.
“The minister called both the board members and the CEO this week to inform them about his intention to dissolve the board with immediate effect. At the moment we do not know how the meeting between the minister and the CEO ended,” said the source.
The Corporate Communications Manager, Kebaboney Morewagae could neither confirm nor deny the departure of Ntwaagae only saying that he was aware that his contract ends on March 31.
“I am not aware that the CEO is leaving, or why he is leaving, neither am I aware of the dissolution of the board. I can only confirm that is contract ends March 31st,” he said. However, he promised to furnish us with relevant information as soon as he has got it.
Botswana Railways (BR) has struggled to find peace following the purchase of passenger coaches and the hiccups that accompanied the re-introduction of the passenger train last year. The train has experienced technical problems ranging from breakdowns, and now the reported railway line damage caused by the heavy rains. Mokaila declined to comment late yesterday saying he was in a meeting. “I am in a meeting right now, can’t discuss anything with you…bye,” he said as he cut short our interview.