Observer

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Mining Expo promises exciting marketing avenues

Mining Expo promises exciting marketing avenues

Tujoromajo Kasuto After a two-years absence because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the 9th Namibian Mining Expo andConference, is scheduled for 31st August and 1st September 2022, under the theme, ‘’Breaking New Frontiers in a Post-Pandemic Era’’. “The whole Chamber team is gearing up and preparing for what promises to be an exciting and successful Mining Expo Conference at the Windhoek Showgrounds,” said Chamber of Mines CEO Veston Malango. Malango indicated that this year’s event coincides with an improving outlook for the mining industry supported by a buoyant mineral commodity market, and a fast-paced operating environment that is evolving with rapid…
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N$924m settlement averts strike …Govt gives 600m, unions compromise 700m

N$924m settlement averts strike …Govt gives 600m, unions compromise 700m

Obrein Simasiku Government has brokered a settlement of N$924 million with the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) and Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) thus averting a national strike that could have crippled the country’s economy. The new offer saw an exponential increase from the government’s initial total offer totalling N334 million dollars that only covered transport and housing allowances. Under the revised which is about N$600 million more, the civil servants will see an across the board improvement of 3% in their basic salary. The increase did not bring delight in the mood of many workers and which will not…
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Civil servants feel cheated

Civil servants feel cheated

Obrein Simasiku Labour expert Herbert Jauch says the unions were supposed to come back to inform their members on the new proposal so that they can decide if it was reasonable or not, before putting their signatures on the dotted line. The Namibia Public Workers Union secretary general Petrus Nevonga announced this afternoon at State House that an agreement was reached together with the sister union Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) secretary general Loide Shaanika, including government representative (Cabinet Secretary) George Simataa, sealing the deal. This however, according to Jauch, was not supposed to be done. “Members entrusted you, and…
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Kavango East Regional report found wanting

Kavango East Regional report found wanting

Martin Endjala The Kavango East Regional Council 2021/2022 financial year report came under fire today in the National Council chambers from MPs, who were not happy saying it lacks indepth information and statistics relating to various projects. Abner Shikongo expressed disappointment in the manner the report was put together stating that it failed to identify the large population components of urban development. Ngunaihe Ueutjerevi stressed the importance of the report to enable the MPs to make informed decisions and to also make recommendations towards developing the regions and ironing out pertinent challenges affecting the country. Further pointing out that the…
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Namibia’s trade balloons in first six months

Namibia’s trade balloons in first six months

Tujoromajo Kasuto Namibia’s trade activities increased from January to June 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021, with cumulative total trade of import and exports standing at N$107 billion by June 2022, a noticeable 46.1 percent increase from N$73.2 billion in June 2021, accordingto the latest statistics from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Mining and quarrying products were the most valuable exported goods in June 2022, accounting for 47.1 percent of total exports, with a value of N$3.8 billion, up from N$2billion in May 2022, according to NSA’s Namibia Trade Statistics Bulletin for June 2022. The Manufacturing industry…
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Poaching in national parks decrease

Poaching in national parks decrease

Staff Wrter The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has noted that since strengthening its wildlife protection strategies in National Parks, poaching has decreased there. However, spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said that poachers appears to have shifted their focus to custodianship farms and private farms with white rhinos. “To date we have a recorded 33 rhinos poached in Namibia, 24 black rhinos and 9 white rhinos. This year’s poaching cases include nine (9) rhinos poached in custodianship farms, another 9 on private farms and 15 in the Etosha National Park. Namibia has recorded 44 rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020,…
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Amupanda walks away from FIMA

Amupanda walks away from FIMA

Tujoromajo Kasuto Job Amupanda, the leader of Affirmative Repositioning movement, has resigned from the Financial Institutions and Markets Act of 2021 (FIMA) Technical Committee, claiming that Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi is conspiring behind closed doors to force him out. The chief AR activist was nominated by TUCNA as an academic consultant on behalf of the federation to the committee. Amupanda is alleging that the Finance Minister is putting pressure on TUCNA Secretary General Mahongora Kavihuha, to recall him. Amupanda claims in a letter to Shiimi today that the minister only appointed him under coercion and not on his own volition.…
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Public trust declines in vaccines

Public trust declines in vaccines

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Health and Social Services has observed waning public trust in vaccines in recent years with a low uptake of childhood immunisation, particularly immunisation against measles and Rubella. This comes as the country also failed to meet Covid-19 vaccination target of 70 percent. This is a concern as immunisation is an essential life-saving service in preventing severe illnesses among children, adults and pregnant women, making it critical in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, said, ‘’the Ministry has also recorded a reduction in immunisation of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV),…
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TransNamib defends D&M rail partnership

TransNamib defends D&M rail partnership

Obrein Simasiku TransNamib is defending its long-standing business relationship with D&M Rail Construction, which has been scooping lucrative rail tenders worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while TransNamib is believed to have the capacity to do the job. The rail paratastal’s Chief Executive Officer Johny Smith, said the partnership is a beneficial one for both entities. “Since I took over in 2018 we started working together on some of the projects for the benefit of TransNamib and rail. If anyone believes there is no benefit in this partnership, let’s have the facts and information, then we will ensure that its…
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Parliamentarians urged to become innovators

Parliamentarians urged to become innovators

Martin Endjala A delegation comprising parliamentarians from various African states have been urged to familiarise themselves with the evolving technology to become relevant in the new normal. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, Chairperson of the National Council express this sentiment during the official opening of the Sixth Society of Clerks-at-the Table (SOCATT) professional development seminar today in Windhoek today. Concerns raised centred on parliamentary administrative duties as well as human resources that of late is feeling the effects of evolving technology, as well as their reluctance do things as usual. These the chairperson stressed require parliamentarians to move away from tradition, lamenting…
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