Main – Page 29 – Windhoek Observer

18 Dec

Namcor alleges blatant fraud in the acquisition of military fuel storage facility

ObserverMainNamcor alleges blatant fraud in the acquisition of military fuel storage facility

Niël Terblanché Immanuel Mulunga, the suspended Managing Director of Namcor, along with several other individuals, is facing legal action that could cost them over N$53 million in restitution to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). The state-owned entity while filing particulars of a claim at the Namibian High Court has made serious allegations of fraud during the acquisition of a military fuel storage facility in Walvis Bay. The claim asserts that Mulunga and nine other defendants are responsible for a transaction that was concluded in breach of government control structures, resulting in significant financial losses to Namcor. Namcor’s decision…

15 Dec

Namra to disburse N$66.8 million in tax refunds

ObserverMainNamra to disburse N$66.8 million in tax refunds

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is set to release tax refunds totalling N$66,805,594.15 to 63 150 individual salaried persons and pensioners. NamRa Chief Strategic Communications and Support Engagements, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, announced this yesterday and said that the agency is set to make the payments this week; however, the refunds will only be available to the taxpayers a week after. He said NamRA’s strategic approach involves meticulous risk assessment, the establishment of acceptable risk thresholds, and the implementation of an automated refund process. This has resulted in the processing of 91,092 returns, contributing to the clearance of refunds dating back…

14 Dec

Nuclear energy is integral to GRN’s long-term plans

ObserverMainNuclear energy is integral to GRN’s long-term plans

Martin Endjala Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo has affirmed that nuclear energy remains a crucial component of the government’s long-term plans, as articulated in its National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) issued earlier this year. He made this statement during a Cabinet Committee Briefing held in Windhoek. Alweendo pointed out that the NIRP has detailed how the government intends to manage the supply of electricity within the country. While nuclear energy may not be an immediate priority, it is considered as part of the long-term strategy. However, Alweendo emphasized that the feasibility of nuclear energy depends on various factors, including…

13 Dec

Swartbooi calls for the removal of Namdeb’s board of directors

ObserverMainSwartbooi calls for the removal of Namdeb’s board of directors

Stefanus Nashama Bernadus Swartbooi, leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), has expressed his discomfort with the management of Namdeb and called for the removal of the board of directors due to their alleged ignorance and inability to address issues related to unfair labour practices. Swartbooi made these remarks during a media conference held to provide the outcomes of the policy conference that his party conducted in Windhoek last week. According to Swartbooi, Namdeb, along with its highly compensated board of directors, is a failing entity. This call comes after the LPM received a letter from Namdeb’s legal representative, accusing…

12 Dec

Unregistered SIM cards to be suspended for three months

ObserverMainUnregistered SIM cards to be suspended for three months

Martin Endjala The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has warned citizens whose SIM cards are not registered by 31 December 2023, that their cards will be suspended for three months. According to CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, the SIM card registration conditions mandate users to register their SIM cards with their mobile service provider. Nghikembua stated that after 31 December 2023, unregistered SIM cards will be suspended for three months, and if a customer attempts to use the service during the suspension period, they only receive a warning message. “During the three-month suspension period, the service may be…

08 Dec

Namibia increases vigilance amidst global concern about new respiratory illness

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché While the world awaits more clarity about the mystery respiratory illness in China, Namibia has redoubled its efforts to safeguard the people against a possible local outbreak. Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, has said current measures align with the global stance about travel or trade restrictions based on the current understanding of the disease. Dr Shangula, however, called for calm, adding that COVID-19 and influenza surveillance activities in place in Namibia have not yet detected an increase in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, or an increase in respiratory infection-associated hospitalizations or deaths in the…

07 Dec

SPYL rebuts Itula’s statements on presidential candidacy

ObserverMainSPYL rebuts Itula’s statements on presidential candidacy

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), has addressed what it calls “unfounded hallucinations”, of Panduleni Itula, the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), regarding Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Swapo Party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections. In a statement, SPYL’s Secretary General, Ephraim Nekongo, reiterated the party’s usual stance of not responding to what they term the “hallucinations of fly-by-night political establishments” but felt compelled to set the record straight on Itula’s comments. This comes after Itula in a recent interview repeated a claim of being the only presidential candidate in Namibia. Itula also repeated claims about…

06 Dec

Mbangu calls on Energy Ministry to get rid of RED’s

ObserverMainMbangu calls on Energy Ministry to get rid of RED’s

Martin Endjala National Council member, Paulus Mbangu, has suggested that the Ministry of Mines and Energy should eliminate Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs) and harness solar energy from the Namib Desert to provide free electricity to all citizens at the household level while electricity tariffs for businesses should be heavily subsidized. Mbangu made this proposal during a recent session of the Council while contributing to the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s budget. He stressed that rural electrification plays an essential role in enhancing the quality of life for people residing in rural areas. It not only promotes economic development but also…

05 Dec

‘We Paid for Our Children’…First Family addresses allegations of abuse of state resources

ObserverMainDubai for the 28th session of COP 28., Treasury Regulations of the Government of the Republic of Namibia., ‘We Paid for Our Children’...First Family addresses allegations of abuse of state resources

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s First Couple, President Hage Geingob and First Lady Monica Geingos issued a statement to address concerns regarding expenses incurred for their children and other members of the First Family who accompanied them to Dubai for the 28th session of COP 28. According to a statement issued by State House, President Geingob and the First Lady have distinguished between expenses within their prerogative as the First Couple and those classified as private expenditures, as stipulated by the Treasury Regulations of the Government of the Republic of Namibia. These regulations specify that the children and other members of the…

04 Dec

Namibia pledges 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next 20 years

ObserverMainNamibia pledges 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next 20 years

Hertta-Maria Amutenya In a commitment to combat climate change and realising the aspirations of Agenda 2063, President Hage Geingob, has announced that Namibia is set to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of renewable energy in the next 20 years, a monumental leap that surpasses the country’s existing generation capacity by more than 30 times. Geingob made the announcement at the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge during COP28 underway in Dubai. Geingob, addressing world leaders, emphasised Namibia’s alignment with the vision of “The Africa We Want,” recognising the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change. Despite…