Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché The Erongo Regional Council (ERC) has denied allegations circulating on social media that tins of fish distributed as part of the drought relief programme in the Usab location of Karibib were expired. In a statement on Wednesday, the ERC declared that the claims are false and misleading, reaffirming its commitment to adhering to established protocols for food distribution. Sam Ntelamo, Chief Regional Officer of the ERC, stated that the video suggesting that the tins of fish were expired and kept for distribution is completely misleading. "We confirm that the tins of fish in stock have not expired. In…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Agribank has begun the rollout of the drought relief subsidies. The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, during his budget speech in February, announced that the drought relief measures would be implemented from 10 July and that it would be in the form of an instalment relief and penalty interest waivers for clients. Agribank Chief Executive Officer Raphael Karuaihe announced this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the bank's headquarters. “Accounts of qualifying clients will be credited in full as and when instalments fall due, and past-due accounts will be credited with immediate effect. The…

Niël Terblanché The country needs N$42 million for health and nutrition, specifically therapeutic food. This is according to the June Drought Report, released by the Office of the Prime. According to the report, approximately 1.4 million Namibians are facing severe food insecurity between July and September this year. According to the report, the Namibian government requires over N$1 billion to provide adequate food assistance, but currently, only N$600 million is available. This is inclusive of logistical costs for transport. The primary factors contributing to the food insecurity crisis include a prolonged drought and erratic rainfall, both of which have been…

Martin Endjala The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has conducted assessments to determine whether the ongoing drought relief will be extended or reversed.  Rhingo Mutambo, the OPM spokesperson was responding to inquiries about the drought relief program's future after the conclusion of the 2024/25 financial year. The drought relief programme is set to end on 30 June 2025. “The current drought relief programme is premised on assessments conducted, namely the crop assessment and the vulnerability assessment and analysis (VAA). These assessments confirm that food insecurity is perpetuated by low rainfall and low or no harvest yield. They also confirm…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda said the registration of AR as a political party means Namibians now have a party that seeks to transform the political system that kept people in the dark and hostage. Amupanda made these remarks on Tuesday during his first national address, while unveiling the party’s past, present, and future activities. He said the AR was founded by young people who are not part of the ruling elites, who are not in government, and who did not face a fallout that resulted in infighting for positions or old exile squabbles imported into post-independent…

Stefanus Nashama Bernadus Swartbooi, the president of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) claims the government's intervention to avail N$365 million to subsidise electricity consumers for the 2024–2025 financial year is a short-term election gimmick. He said this during the party press conference in Windhoek on Wednesday. “While the government's intervention to avail N$365 million to subsidise electricity consumers for the 2024–2025 financial year, effectively cancelling the increment for 2024 and 2025, provides temporary relief, concerns remain about the future. The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has projected further increases in electricity tariffs for the subsequent years, with significant hikes expected from…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform convened a week-long workshop bringing together management from all 14 regions to review the major activities and performance of the first quarter of the current financial year. The ministry’s Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, outlined key accomplishments and challenges, emphasising the ministry's commitment to improving service delivery and sustainable development. Water supply and sanitation initiatives Nghituwamata highlighted progress in providing rural water supply and sanitation. She detailed the construction of 12 new earth dams for water harvesting across four regions: Ohangwena (5), Oshana (4), Kavango West (2), and Hardap (1). Additionally,…