Namibian fisheries minister accused of conflict of interest

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been accused of showing a conflict of interest after going on a trip to the soccer World Cup in Brazil, allegedly paid for by a businessman over whom he has powers to award fishing quotas.

Esau was part of a delegation that accompanied Prime Minister Hage Geingob on a chartered government jet joyride to watch the final of the World Cup in Brazil in July. After the controversial trip, Esau pleaded ignorance of who had paid for the trip but businessman Desmond Amunyela, owner of Paragon Investment Holdings, a company with fishing rights, admitted chartering the jet for NAD 1million (USD 91,212/EUR 70,530).

The minister had increased the fishing quotas in June but it could not be established by how much Amunyela's company had benefited.



Fishing quotas are issued at the discretion of the line minister, who decides which companies should receive fishing licenses ranging from seven to 15 years.

Click here to read the full story from the Namibian >

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