Observer – Page 433 – Windhoek Observer

21 Jul

Rebuild passenger confidence in checked baggage

ObserverObserver MoneyRebuild passenger confidence in checked baggage, SITA Baggage IT

Recently, I was on a flight that was severely delayed with most passengers trying to bring their luggage into the cabin. There was simply no space on board. The flight ended up leaving more than an hour late. No doubt fears of their bags being misplaced or long delays waiting at the baggage carousel were weighing heavily on most passengers’ minds. They no longer felt confident checking their baggage. What are the numbers telling us? Data from the latest SITA Baggage IT Insights report confirms a spike in baggage mishandling emerging from the pandemic. The latest data from IATA shows…

21 Jul

Fishing sector only accounts for 12% of tax revenue

ObserverMainCommissioner Sam Shivute, Fishing sector only accounts for 12% of tax revenue

Martin Endjala The Namibia Revenue Agency has expressed its concern towards the fishing industry, following alarming statistics that indicate that the sector only contributes 12 percent of tax revenue compared to other industries. Currently, the Mining sector contributes 22 percent of tax revenue, with Debmarine amongst the top ten contributors with three billion Namibian Dollars, followed by B2Gold and Namdeb. The three The Fishing sector is regarded as one of Namibia’s largest industries in terms of generated GDP for the country, however, NamRa’s Commissioner Sam Shivute said he is concerned about the manner in which the industry is currently operating…

21 Jul

Sexually active persons urged to combat STIs

ObserverNational NewsKalumbi Shangula, Sexually active persons urged to combat STIs

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has urged sexually active persons to make use of condoms and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Infectious (STIs). According to Shangula, sexually transmitted infections pose a significant public health challenge as proven by available statistics that there has been an upward trend of such infections in the country, despite the commendable progress made by the government in reducing STIs and HIV infections. Shangula made these remarks yesterday at the launch of the third edition of the national guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections.…

21 Jul

Power struggles at Karasburg Town Council

ObserverNational NewsCEO Nico Titus, Power struggles at Karasburg Town Council

Martin Endjala The Karasburg Town Council continues to have back-and-forth push factors, as the Chief Executive Officer saga continues to take centre stage. Staff members are now divided about who’s instructions to follow. The current substantive CEO Nico Titus who returned from his suspension in connection with N$10 million allegedly diverted from the council’s bank accounts into private pockets, was denied entry into the premises on on Monday. The Mayor, Maria Veldskoen insists that they do not recognize him, despite the lapse of his suspension. During Titus’ suspension, Hansina Isaacks was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer for the…

21 Jul

Over N$8,5 million donated for small-scale fisheries

ObserverNational News5 million donated for small-scale fisheries, Derek Klaze, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Over N$8

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been provided with over N$8,5 million by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to undertake a landscape assessment of small-scale fisheries across the country. According to the Ministry, the N$8,5 million is also meant for the Ministry to undertake stakeholder consultations to obtain inputs to develop the Action Plan. This follows the Ministry’s request for support from the Food and Agriculture Organization to be able to implement the voluntary guidelines on securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, over five years ago. Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on small-scale fisheries yesterday in Windhoek,…

21 Jul

Interference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures

ObserverNational NewsInterference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures, Manuel Ngaringombe

Stefanus Nashama The official opposition, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says the involvement of the Bank of Namibia and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise in the implementation of an N$82 million digital registration system by the Business and Intellectual Property Authority of Namibia (BIPA) is out of public procurement procedures. The party further expressed its concern over the revelations that the cost of implementing the digital registration system has ballooned to close to N$100 million from the N$20 million that was originally budgeted by BIPA. According to a statement issued by PDM Secretary General, Manuel Ngaringombe, the party is…

21 Jul

Oshana Region launches Investors Conference

ObserverNational NewsOshana Region launches Investors Conference

Martin Endjala Regional economic units have a duty to stimulate business activities in their regions, in order to increase growth per capital income and employment opportunities and thus, ensure poverty reduction. This was said by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga during the official launch of the Oshana region Investors Conference, launched yesterday in the Oshana region, scheduled to take place from 23 to 24 August 2023. The Minister underscored that it is a reality that regional economic planners and players have a significant role in national economies, particularly in the globalized economy. He added that in…

21 Jul

Attempted Cop Briber sentenced to 18 months

ObserverNational NewsAttempted Cop Briber sentenced to 18 months, Wilhelm Gideon (53)

Stefanus Nashama The Outapi Magistrate’s court has sentenced Wilhelm Gideon (53) to an effective 18 months in jail for attempting to bribe a police officer with N$ 20 000, in exchange for his vehicle which is currently impounded and is marked off as evidence in an ongoing criminal case. Gideon pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted,and sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment without an option of a fine. Gideon, an operator at Namport contravened section 38(b) read with sections 51, 49 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 (Act No. 8 of 2003), the Anti-Corruption Commission said. According to a statement issued yesterday…

20 Jul

ReconAfrica announces completion of $7.5m share offering

ObserverObserver MoneyReconAfrica announces completion of $7.5m share offering

Martin Endjala Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica) has announced its previously announced overnight marketed Offering units of the Company for gross proceeds of $7.5 million (Approximately N$133 950 000) including the full exercise of the over-allotment option for $975 000(Approximately N$17 413 500) on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture (TSXV) share listing. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Scot Evans made the announcement and said the offering was completed by way of a short form prospectus filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Québec, and the Units were sold outside of Canada on a private placement basis. He said…

20 Jul

Namra rakes in over N$18 billion in revenue

ObserverFeatured, Observer MoneyNamra rakes in over N$18 billion in revenue

Hertta-Maria Amutenja During the first quarter of the current financial year, the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collected N$18.9 billion in revenue. According to Namra Commissioner Sam Shivute, this amounts to 28 percent of the N$67 billion annual target set for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2023 and ending on 31 March 2024. Last year the agency surpassed its revenue-collection target for the 2022/23 financial year by N$4 billion. The revenue collector was required to bring in N$53 billion however it exceeded its target and collected a total of N$57 billion. “Our achievements thus far would not have been…