Board suspends NFRA boss

The Board of Directors of National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nasinuku Saukira and Director of Finance Peter Salamba over utilisation of funds amounting to K611 million.

NFRA Board Chairperson Dennis Kalekeni confirmed the development Monday.

“As NFRA Board Chairperson, I cannot talk much on the matter but I can confirm that the board took the decision to suspend the CEO and the Director of Finance. I cannot divulge much but only indicate that, during a recent board meeting, we looked at an audit report. The decision [to suspend them] was arrived at due to shortfalls that were identified in the audit report,” he said.

However, a communication addressed to Saukira, which Kalekeni has signed, indicates that the board based its decision on unverified reports that the two used money meant for the purchase of maize for other operations without approval of the board and the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The Board of Trustees for NFRA, having met on 19 February 2021, considered the issue of utilisation of the sum of K611 million intended for the procurement of the Strategic Gain Reserve maize, for operations without any authorisation from the line ministry or the board.

“The board also considered your decision to procure services from a garage which was not prequalified to provide the services. The board, having considered the seriousness of the highlighted matters, hereby unanimously suspends [you] from duties with immediate effect in terms of clause 4 (d) of [the] Contract of Employment,” the statement reads.

However, while the two are awaiting a disciplinary inquiry that would be conducted later, the board has assured them that they would be getting full pay and all benefits.