Windhoek Observer – Page 476 – Windhoek Observer

27 Jun

Procurement process blamed for delayed renovation of Independence Stadium

National News

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero has expressed disappointment with the delays in the process of renovating the Independence Stadium. She shared this with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday in response to questions about the stadium's renovation and upgrades. “The ministry is disappointed that it is taking so long to start the renovation process,” said Tjongarero. Although the work should have started in September of last year, more than ten months have passed without any progress. The minister claims that the procurement process is to blame for the delay. “The delay is with the…

27 Jun

Electricity distributor ordered to stop blocking electricity prepaid metres

National News

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has directed regional councils and local authorities to cease the practice of blocking prepaid electricity metres to recover arrears on other municipal services. Robert Kahimise, the ECB’s chief executive officer, gave this order during Thursday's announcement of tariffs for distribution licensees. He urged the various electricity distributors to explore alternative debt recovery methods that comply with the relevant legislation. This comes after the ECB received a customer complaint about a local authority blocking pre-paid meters for municipal accounts in arrears. “The ECB ruling on the matter is that this practice is not allowed…

27 Jun

Namibia welcomes the creation of a SADC Public Service Commission

National News

Niël Terblanché Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries have agreed to establish a regional public service commission. Salmaan Jacobs, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Namibia described the decision as an initiative that will be aimed at cultivating collaboration and enhancing public service across the region. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Africa Public Service Day commemorations in Windhoek on Thursday, Jacobs stressed the importance of this new forum. "The forum will provide a platform where information and lessons can be shared, and where the provisions of national constitutions and relevant laws can be safeguarded…

27 Jun

GRN will not interfere with genocide money – Nandi-Ndaitwah

National News

Martin Endjala Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the government will not interfere with the more than one billion Euros in genocide funds from the German government intended for genocide-affected communities. She said the government's sole role is to facilitate and guarantee the money is used for its intended purpose. She said this during the meeting of the chiefs forum of the affected communities of the 1904–1908 genocide, held on Thursday at the Gateway Conference Centre in Khomasdal. “At this point, let me assure you once more that the government of the Republic of Namibia will not interfere with the endowment…

27 Jun

Swapo lawyers demand N$2 million in security of costs

National News

Ester Mbathera Lawyers representing Swapo in a legal dispute to invalidate the decision made by the party's central committee to postpone the extraordinary congress to 19 April 2025, have demanded security of costs from the applicants. The applicants, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Aina Kalimba Angula, Reinhold Nghihepavali Shipwikineni, and Erich Chrismann Shivute, filed a Notice of Motion with the High Court of Namibia on 13 June. Gilroy Kasper, representing MKK Incorporated law firm, expressed concern over the applicants' ability to satisfy potential cost orders issued by the High Court. “This is, amongst others, informed by past litigation involving…

27 Jun

ECN accused of excluding LGBTQI+ community

Main

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is facing criticism for its lack of gender sensitivity in the voter registration process. The current system only provides options for males and females, excluding non-binary and transgender individuals. This has raised concerns among activists and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and other (LGBTQI+) communities. Transgender woman, Deyonce !Naris said she has been vocal about the issue and has been emphasising the battle for recognition beyond the binary gender options. “It’s really problematic that ECN is not accommodating inclusivity. This whole male and female thing I have been…

27 Jun

ECB withholds NORED tariff approval

Latest

The Electricity Control Board has withheld NORED’s tariff approval of 6.6% for not submitting audited, up-to-date financial statements for the 2022 financial year.NORED had initially applied for a tariff of 7.7% before the end of May.This was announced by ECB chief executive officer Robert Kahimise today at the announcement of distribution tariffs.Earlier this month, in a push to pay its debt with NamPower, NORED announced that it would start cutting off electricity supply to customers whose accounts have been in arrears for 30 days or more."Non-compliance with regulatory directives shall not be tolerated,” warned Kahimise.The ECB also withheld the City…

27 Jun

Uninspiring leaders lacking ideology responsible for slow voter registration, likely voter turnout

Opinions

Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) chief electoral officer Peter Shaama said recently that the ECN during the ongoing voter registration exercise it had then registered 366 036 voters. Which by that time was 21 percent in two weeks. Representing an average of 29 918 registered voters per day during the period 10 to 15 June. With the Khomas region then leading the process with 77 098 registered voters, followed by Ohangwena with 40 122 registered voters. The Zambezi region had registered the least voters (11 381), followed by the regions of Omaheke, Kunene, Hardap and /Karas. This pace may have…

27 Jun

Manganese exports via Lüderitz to increase

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Walvis Bay Corridor Group anticipates an increase in manganese exports via the Port of Lüderitz, commencing in the third quarter of 2024, CEO Mbahupu Tjivikua disclosed to Observer Money. He noted that indications are that there is a notable growth in cargo volumes, driven by an increasing demand for goods across key markets such as Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Expansion in mining activities, particularly in DRC, Botswana and Zambia, are contributing to the increased demand for transport and logistics services, he noted. The other growth factors are…

27 Jun

Railway project at procurement stage

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The proposed upgrades of railway infrastructure under funding from the African Development Bank and the Namibian government is at procurement stage with some activities on the ground. However, no implementation of any activity has yet started, except preparation and compilation of solicitation documents, Robert Kalomho director of railway infrastructure management said when asked about the progress on the project. The funding from both the AFDB and the government totals about N$7,6 billion. The project will see the upgrade of the section between Kranzberg to Otjiwarongo and Kalomho said this will take up to four years to complete. In…