Main – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

17 Nov

GRN allocates N$1.7 billion more for salary increases

ObserverMainGRN allocates N$1.7 billion more for salary increases

Niël Terblanché The Office of the Prime Minister has announced a comprehensive salary and benefits increase for civil servants across Namibia. The announcement was made following negotiations with the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU). Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. George Simataa, unveiled the details of the agreement. The increase is expected to cost the Namibian taxpayers approximately N$1.7 billion annually. Under the new agreement, civil servants falling within job grades 15 to 14 will receive a flat increase of N$600, while those in grades 13 to 1 will see a five percent rise…

16 Nov

Governor Ndevashiya caught off-guard by President’s decision

ObserverMainGovernor Ndevashiya caught off-guard by President’s decision, Ndevashiya, new Governor of the Ohangwena Region

Niël Terblanché In a very unexpected development, President Hage Geingob has appointed retired Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, the former Inspector General of the Namibian Police, as the new Governor of the Ohangwena Region. The appointment, made under the constitutional powers vested in the President, is set to take effect from today. President Geingob invoked Articles 32(4)(a) (hh) and 110A(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, in conjunction with the provisions outlined in the Special Advisors and Regional Governors Appointment Act, 1990, as amended, to appoint General Ndeitunga to this key position. The outgoing Governor told a local radio…

15 Nov

PDM demands transparencyon N$643 million drought relief allocation

ObserverMainPDM demands transparencyon N$643 million drought relief allocation

Herttta-Maria Amutenja Elma Dienda, a member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for increased transparency in the allocation and utilisation of N$643 million designated for drought relief in Namibia’s midterm budget. Dienda, stressed the need for clear and unbiased guidelines from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to ensure that the funds are not misused for political gains. “We urgently request clear, unbiased usage guidelines from the Prime Minister’s office to prevent misuse of these funds for political gain, ensuring integrity in relief efforts and respect for taxpayer contributions,” Dienda remarked. The allocation, announced by Finance and…

14 Nov

We will deconstruct all economic redlines once in power: Angula

ObserverMainWe will deconstruct all economic redlines once in power: Angula

Erasmus Shalihaxwe “At independence we should have deconstructed all redlines, we didn’t but now we must, and we cannot do that by driving fellow Namibians aside, we just cannot. But to construct together we must deconstruct.” These are the words of Ally Angula, who indicated her intention to run as an Independent Candidate for the 2024 National Assembly and Presidential elections. During a recent interview with this publication, Angula stated that the majority of Namibians have been excluded from economic participation due to many “redlines” which are not only the veterinary cordon fence (Redline) but other main economic streams. Therefore,…

13 Nov

Lack of service delivery in local authorities highly unacceptable -Ndaitwah

ObserverMainLack of service delivery in local authorities highly unacceptable -Ndaitwah

Hertta-Maria Amutenja SWAPO Party Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah issued a call to action, urging party officials who serve at Local Authorities, including the City of Windhoek, to become more active and effective in addressing issues that significantly impact the lives of citizens. “Therefore, comrades, a lack of service delivery within the Local Authorities and all government structures is highly unacceptable. The lengthy bureaucratic processes that impede service delivery to the people need serious review,” she emphasized during the weekend’s party rally in Windhoek. Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the urgency of addressing bureaucratic processes that hinder efficient service delivery, asserting, “The lengthy bureaucratic…

10 Nov

GRN generates more than N$1 Billion in vehicle auction

ObserverMainGRN generates more than N$1 Billion in vehicle auction

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Ministry of Works and Transport has generated a total of N$105 153 881 million by auctioning off unwanted government vehicles in the last six years. The ministry’s spokesperson, Julias Ngweda, confirmed these figures to Windhoek Observer during an interview conducted recently. He said the money was generated from a total of 83 auctions the ministry conducted in the last six years, of which 17 auctions were done in the 2018/19 financial year, making a revenue of N$ N$ 26 336 036.00. In the 2019/20 financial year, the ministry conducted a total of 20 auctions that generated revenue…

09 Nov

Proposed transport law to punish all involved in overloading

ObserverMainProposed transport law to punish all involved in overloading

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa has tabled the Vehicle Mass Bill, a law that will hold accountable all people involved in the overloading of vehicles on public roads. Mutorwa submitted the proposed Bill to the National Assembly this week and requested fellow lawmakers to discuss it at appropriate stages. He said currently, only part of the transport logistics chain is held accountable for overloading, a practice that renders the legislative regulatory framework and system practically ineffective. The ministry proposed that through the Vehicles Mass Bill, the whole transport logistics chain involved, such as the consignor,…

08 Nov

Urban ministry owes CoW more than N$100 million

ObserverMain

Hertta-Maria Amutenja City of Windhoek (CoW) leadership has revealed that the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development owes the city over N$100 million, adding to the capital city’s ongoing fiscal challenges. This revelation comes alongside the approval of the city’s 2023/24 budget, which has grown to a substantial N$5 billion. “The ministry owes us N$ 110 million including interest. They have committed to repay it. We are expecting an answer soon on what will be refunded,” said CoW Strategic executive for Finance and Customer Services, Jennifer Comalie. Mayor Joseph Uapingene emphasised that the approved budget serves as evidence of the…

07 Nov

Sanitation and hygiene play a significant role in economic transformation

ObserverMainSanitation and hygiene play a significant role in economic transformation

Niël Terblanché Africa’s development agenda depends on addressing water and sanitation issues effectively, as these aspects are vital to the continent’s survival and prosperity. The seventh edition of the Africa Sanitation and Hygiene Conference (AfricaSan7) opened with an urgent call for attention to sanitation and hygiene as integral components of climate change and development agendas related to the water cycle. Calle Schelettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, during the conference’s official opening, said that sanitation and hygiene are not isolated concerns but vital elements that empower individuals, transform communities, promote health, well-being, education, and foster economic growth.…

06 Nov

Namdia appeals for approval of Diamond Bill

ObserverMainNamdia appeals for approval of Diamond Bill

Stefanus Nashama Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has strongly appealed to Namibian lawmakers to consider extra efforts to speed up the processes of drafting and passing the Diamond Bill to enable the company to contribute to economic growth, employment creation and expertise. Namdia said that the bill which is currently in the draft stage should be passed since the company generates much of its income from the export of rough diamonds with low local participation. This follows a recent decision by the government to ban the export of raw materials, a strategy to encourage economic growth and employment creation. During consultations…