Observer – Page 488 – Windhoek Observer

27 Jul

EIF assists communities threatened by climate change

ObserverObserver MoneyEIF assists communities threatened by climate change, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia

Martin Endjala The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia has disbursed grants to the tune of N$88 300 000 under the ‘Building Resilience of Communities across Targeted eight landscapes threatened by climate change through an ecosystems-based adaptation approach’ initiative. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and geared towards addressing communities threatened by climate change through an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Approach in Namibia, particularly in the Kunene and Erongo regions. The community projects are aimed at addressing climate change through ecosystem-based adaptation by recognising the inherent strength and resilience of the natural systems in adapting to changing climatic conditions. The…

27 Jul

Menzies Aviation suffers another defeat

ObserverMain12 July 2023, HKIA to Paragon, Menzies Aviation suffers another defeat, Menzies filed

Niël Terblanché After the High Court’s decision of 23 May 2023 which dismissed Menzies’ application to interdict NAC from implementing NAC’s award of the tender to provide ground handling services at HKIA to Paragon until finalization of a review application that Menzies has filed in the High Court in respect of the tender referred to above, Menzies has since filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against the said High Court decision. On 12 July 2023, Menzies filed an application in the Supreme Court requesting that court to expedite the determination of its appeal. The Supreme Court in its order…

27 Jul

Kneejerk reaction unleashes a chain reaction

ObserverNational NewsKneejerk reaction unleashes a chain reaction

Niël Terblanché The opportunistic misinterpretation of the ruling of Namibia’s Supreme Court with regard to the immigration rights of people in same-sex marriages consummated outside the borders of the country by many influential personalities might have far-reaching funding consequences for the country. The initial kneejerk reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling and the subsequent tabling and approval of a private member’s bill in the National Assembly to change the definition of the word spouse as described in the Namibian Constitution has had a chain reaction amongst donor countries and organisations that politicians and legislators should have anticipated.Ambassador John Nkengasong, the…

27 Jul

Venaani blames GRN for abandoning crucial projects

ObserverNational NewsMcHenry Venaani, Venaani blames GRN for abandoning crucial projects

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the official opposition in the Namibian Parliament, McHenry Venaani, blamed the government for failing to complete more than 43 capital projects. He said for the government to abandon such huge and crucial capital projects, represents gross mismanagement which is a severe blow to the Namibian Nation’s progress and ability to address the pressing needs of the people. According to him, the backlog of incomplete projects in the health, housing, education, and agriculture sectors is a sign of the government’s failure to prioritize the well-being of citizens. This follows a recent media report by the Ministry…

27 Jul

Retirement investment is a must for the construction industry

ObserverNational NewsEstablishment of the Namibian Building Workers Pension Fund (NBWPF), Retirement investment is a must for the construction industry

Martin Endjala The construction industry is among some of the most neglected industries when it comes to retirement investment given the model of its work and as a result, many self-employed businesses find it hard to join retirement pension funds. It is against this background that the Establishment of the Namibian Building Workers Pension Fund (NBWPF) was created on 1 March 1990 to minimize this gap that has been excluding the construction sector for some years. After applying for the rule amendment which was approved in October last year, by the registrar of pension funds under the auspices of the…

27 Jul

The majority without national documents are Angolans-Wakudumo

ObserverNational NewsBonifatius Wakudumo, The majority without national documents are

Stefanus Nashama Bonifatius Wakudumo, the Governor of the Kavango East Regio, has clarified that the majority of people without national identification documents in the Kavango community are Angolans who settled in Namibia a long time ago. The Governor said he is aware of this issue and added that they have all records of the number of Angolans without national identification documents. Wakudumo, however, indicated that there are some Namibians without national identification documents and that the government is working hard to register them. “Some African nationals from other countries who came to Namibia in the 1960s are also without national…

27 Jul

Two foreign nationals were arrested for attempted bribery

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Two foreign nationals were arrested for attempted bribery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Following a sting operation by Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRa) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a Chinese man and an Angolan woman have been arrested in Windhoek on suspicion of trying to bribe someone. The two suspects allegedly offered a NamRa employee a N$ 50,000 bribe and were arrested on 25 July 2023. “The bribe was intended to influence the release of N$ 6 million belonging to a trading entity, which has been subject to intervention. The suspects are scheduled to appear in the magistrate’s court in due course,” said Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, Chief of Strategic Communications and Support Engagements…

27 Jul

Chief planner fights council for Director position

ObserverNational NewsChief planner fights council for Director position, Inodimbwa Namwoonde

Hertta- Maria Amutenja The Kunene Regional Council’s Chief Development Planner is involved in a legal battle with the council over the position of Deputy Director. Inodimbwa Namwoonde alleges that the council’s decision to reject his appointment was unlawful since it was based on unrelated factors and ulterior motives. He claims that the Public Service Commission’s recommendation and advice that the council appoint him as the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Planning and Development Services has been rejected. A founding affidavit submitted to the Windhoek High Court in May this year states that the council posted job advertisements for the…

26 Jul

Hyphen and Namibian Government launch SED framework

ObserverObserver MoneyHyphen and Namibian Government launch SED framework

Martin Endjala As part of the landmark N$180 billion green hydrogen project deal, the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy on Monday launched a socio-economic development framework (SED Framework) in the //Kharas Region. The SED Framework is an integral part of the Feasibility and Implementation Agreement (FIA) which demonstrates the GRN's commitment to incorporating socio-economic development targets for green hydrogen developers in the implementation of Namibia's green hydrogen strategy. Hyphen’s Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Toni Beukes, said that in partnership with central, regional, and local governments they aim to co-create solutions with…

26 Jul

The business community is a vital component of the mid-term budget

ObserverFeatured, Observer MoneyThe business community is a vital component of the mid-term budget

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises along with the National Planning Commission will conduct a comprehensive mid-term budget review in various regions across the country. According to a statement provided by the finance ministry, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, lipumbu Shiimi, will personally conduct the campaign with members of the National Planning Commission. “This initiative aims to assess the progress made thus far and identify areas where adjustments may be required to ensure effective fiscal management and equitable economic growth,” the statement said. During the visits to the various regions, the finance minister will engage…