Observer – Page 777 – Windhoek Observer

04 May

Kahimise, Council showdown looms

ObserverObserver MoneyAbraham Kanime, City of Windhoek, City Police Chief, Robert Kahimise

Staff Writer A legal showdown is looming between the City of Windhoek and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robert Kahimise as the latter has threatened to take legal action over Wednesday’s council decision to reappoint City Police Chief, Abraham Kanime to a three year contract without following set procedures. This comes as the council took the unprecedented decision to appoint an acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to preside over the Kahimise appointment, despite the substantive CEO being in office. This is a move which has caused even more fractions between the CEO and the 15-member council dominated by the ruling…

30 Apr

Lure customers back to the shops

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, lockdown

…50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing Business owners lament each day they are unable to open; it means more losses. And, they are correct. But, the crisis is not one-sided. All the businesses in the world could be open, but without customers, what’s the point? Just opening doors is not the end of the nightmare, it is just the beginning. Stores and shops must invest in encouraging timid former consumers to come out and spend money. Lockdown showed many people the things they can live without. Someone used to buying fresh bread every day learned…

30 Apr

City Council receives legal opinion about Kanime

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek Council, City Police Chief Abraham Kanime

…extension of his expired contract could be illegal Andrew Kathindi The City of Windhoek Council's decision to reappoint City Police Chief Abraham Kanime is illegal. This is the non-binding legal opinion obtained from Kwala & Company, a legal firm hired to consult on the matter. According to legal documents seen by the Windhoek Observer, Kwala & Company warned the City council that the 'reappointment' of the long-serving police head would be unlawful. They claim it has legal ramifications if implemented, as the courts could overturn the appointment if challenged. “Council is under a constitutional and legal obligation to act under…

30 Apr

Halted infrastructure projects to cost Govt

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, lockdown

…TransNamib juggles lockdown decline in transport demand Andrew Kathindi The decision by the government to halt construction activity in the country as part of the lockdown regulations could come back to haunt it. It has emerged that the government may be obliged to pay millions more to complete the various infrastructure projects. The current lockdown prohibits a gathering of more than 10 people. Non-essential workers must stay at home. This has halted construction projects, including national road works countrywide. “With these works halted across the country, such as the Okahandja highway and Hosea Kutako upgrades and social infrastructure development at…

29 Apr

Air Namibia to reassess COVID-19 impact

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Covid-19

Andrew Kathindi Air Namibia Acting MD Elia Erastus said the airline will review the full impact of COVID-19 on its operations after 36 months even though they’ve managed to fully retain staff and pay salaries during the lockdown. Erastus revealed that Air Namibia has had zero revenue generation in the last month. He was hopeful the relaxation of lockdown regulations would allow the airline to focus on internal flights and generate some revenue. Erastus said the national airline will focus on regional flights to curb competition. He points out that the negative ripple effect of COVID-19 on airline operations is…

29 Apr

China debt relief not on the table-Shiimi

ObserverObserver MoneyChina, Covid-19, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi

Staff Writer Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi says government has not considered appealing for debt relief from China, in light of the increased financial burden that the emergence of COVID-19 has had on government coffers. This comes as government has continued to dig deep to fund various grants to assist those that have been hardest-hit by the effect of COVID 19 such as businesses and workers in tourism, construction and other service sectors. “It is not something that we have looked at and we don’t have a government position on that,” the finance minister said. Of the N$93 billion that government…

29 Apr

Prepare for the re-opening of Namibia now

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Fisheries Ministry, Namibia

The time to reset minds, attitudes businesses to a post-COVID-19 reality is now. Fisheries Ministry executive director Moses Maurihungirire allowed Erongo Marine Enterprises to go to sea despite the ban. Allowing one freezer vessel to go out while others remain on lockdown is not the way to re-open the economy. It is a poor start, but a start nonetheless. We can do better. Now that one vessel is out, the sea should be open for the other vessels as quickly as practicable. The last thing needed now is even more hostility on the docks due to the accurate perceptions about…

28 Apr

Maersk Sheerness docks at Walvis Bay

ObserverUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) on Friday received the largest vessel to ever dock in Namibian waters, the 335.41 meters long, 43.16 meters bean and a 7500 TEU capacity Maersk Sheerness. Namport’s Executive for Commercial Immanuel !Hanabeb said, “ the arrival of this vessel is of great significance, not only to the Ports Authority but to the entire country, as this is not only consistent with our values and drive to becoming Africa's Number 1 Port Authority but also places Namibia in a more competitive position as it now can accommodate bigger vessels.” He said the shipping industry has over…

28 Apr

Meatco donates corned beef

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Meatco

Staff Writer Meatco has donated 25 000 tins of corned beef to be distributed amongst Namibians that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Meatco CEO, Mushokabanji Mwilima the distribution of the corned beef will be left in the hands of the Regional Council who will oversee the distribution of the parcels to those who need them most. “Meatco will remain pragmatic during this time of need, I don’t want to go in too much detail for now. I just want to reiterate our willingness to assist however little; we are assisting our fellow Namibians/human beings with…

28 Apr

Namibia faces malnutrition headache

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, malnutrition, Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN)

Andrew Kathindi Nutrition experts have warned that cases of malnutrition in the country could rise due to increased job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are food secure as a nation but household’s access to food is becoming a challenge as financial resources are not available due to the ongoing loss of income and employment,” said Senior UNAM Lecturer, Nutritionist and founding Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) Board Member, Charlotte Keyter. She said the ongoing retrenchment and loss of income for those in the informal sector because of the COVID19 pandemic was impacting on…