The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) did not deliberately reject the opportunity to participate in the 14th Eenhana Expo which took place from 29 July to 3rd August.
NamRA’s manager for strategic communications Mr Tonateni Shidhudhu said that NamRA did not show up at Eenhana because [not showing up] is part of the company’s strategy and annual plan.
Shidhudhu was responding to questions from Omutumwa as to why, like a lot of other corporate companies, NamRA’s presence was not visible at the Eenhana Expo.
“The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) plans its participation in trade fairs and expos across the country based on our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and Annual Plan, which outline our activities for each financial year,” Shidhudhu said.
“These plans are guided by our organisational values of fairness and diversity as well as the available budget for that particular year.”
He added that although they were fully aware of the Eenhana Expo, participation in this event was not included in their list of activities for the current financial year.
“It is worth noting that NamRA participated in the Eenhana Expo in 2023, as well as in other significant events in the same region, such as the Omaludi Festival and the Helao Nafidi Expo during the 2022/2023 financial year,” Shidhudhu pointed out.
Shidhudhu stated that NamRA’s decision not to participate in the Eenhana Expo must not be seen to mean that NamRA deliberately chose not to attend the Eenhana Expo.
“It would be inaccurate to characterise our decision in such terms. Our participation in events is based on careful planning, aligned with our strategic values, including fairness and diversity.”
As to whether NamRA is putting more priority in the upcoming Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, while showing less interest in other expos, Shidhudhu said that this is not a correct perception.
“This perception is not correct. Our initial response outlines the process by which our participation in these exhibitions is determined,” he said.
“Furthermore, NamRA maintains an established presence in the town of Eenhana, with our Satellite Office in the town open Monday to Friday, providing assistance to taxpayers and traders in the region.”
Omutumwa also asked several other state-owned corporate entities as to why they did not make it to the Eenhana Expo, but neither Nampost, Bipa, nor DBN responded.
In the photo: NamRA’s manager for strategic communications Mr Tonateni Shidhudhu, and also Minister in the Presidency Ms Christine //Hoebes talking to officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform during her tour of the corporate hall of the Eenhana Expo.
