MBABANE – Candy Stromvig, who resigned from the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC) in 2023 amid controversy, has now been appointed as the organisation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Stromvig, now the Acting CEO, initially stepped down a week after management addressed a letter to her, seeking transparency and accountability in respect of the procurement of brush cutters.
This request was prompted by an asset verification audit conducted by SNG Grant Thornton on behalf of ENPC. The auditors found that 21 five-litre paint cans, originally procured and paid for by the public enterprise in October 2022, were delivered to a warehouse in Matsapha in March 2023.
Further investigation revealed that ENPC had purchased a total of 48 paint cans for marking lines on fence poles at Phuzumoya, where government is in the process of constructing a Strategic Oil Reserve Facility.
This project was managed by the Operations Department, which was headed by Stromvig, with local support at Phuzumoya.
The intention behind the purchase was to render the paints easy to identify, thereby reducing the risk of theft. ENPC was responsible for acquiring the paint, while the local community was to engage workers for the project.
Auditors observed that no requisition was prepared prior to the purchase, although a purchase order was subsequently created and authorised by the chief financial officer (CFO).
It should be noted that a requisition is an essential internal control, which precedes the issue of a purchase order, ensuring that all acquisitions are authorised, necessary and in accordance with the company’s budget and policies. This process is universally recognised as a safeguard against unauthorised spending, a deterrent to fraud and a means of ensuring transparency and accountability.
The audit indicates that the purchase order was apparently prepared on the verbal instructions of the director of operations.
Despite full payment being made, only half the total quantity of paint was collected from the supplier and delivered to Phuzumoya.
Candy’s acting appointment thoroughly discussed – minister
MBABANE – Prince Lonkhokhela, the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, says Candy Stromvig’s acting appointment was thoroughly discussed within the ministry alongside the relevant authorities.
The prince said two names were initially considered, following which a formal recommendation was submitted to his office.
Upon careful review, he said he accepted the recommendation and subsequently tabled Stromvig’s name for the relevant sub-committee’s consideration. The minister said her nomination was duly accepted, and, in accordance with standard procedure, the same was presented to Cabinet by the chairperson of the sub-committee.
He said Cabinet requested that additional due diligence be conducted regarding Stromvig’s suitability. The minister said this was duly carried out and a comprehensive report was presented to him and the principal secretary.
Upon review, the prince said they concluded that there existed no impediment to her taking up the acting position, specifically for a period not exceeding three months and her acting appointment was consequently confirmed.
Furthermore, the minister said if there were any outstanding matters or allegations against her, it would have been necessary to address them at the appropriate time, especially as she has not been absent from the ministry.
Prince Lonkhokhela pointed out that the suggestion that she has resurfaced unexpectedly, thereby provoking renewed concerns about unresolved issues, is, in his view, unfounded.
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