Main – Page 32 – Windhoek Observer

03 Nov

N$3.4 Billion secured for improvement of railway

ObserverMain

Niël Terblanché The African Development Bank (AfDB) has granted Namibia a significant boost with the approval of a N$3.5 billion loan to fund the second phase of the Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project (TIIP). The loan, representing 51.8 percent of the project’s total cost, aims to enhance Namibia’s transportation infrastructure and connectivity. According to an official statement released by Leila Mokaddem, Director General for Southern Africa at the AfDB, the Namibian government will provide the remaining 48.2 percent of the project’s funding. The TIIP’s second phase is an ambitious endeavour that involves the construction of 207 kilometres of new rail tracks,…

02 Nov

BIPA might write off N$275m in penalties

ObserverMainBIPA might write off N$275m in penalties

Martin Endjala According to the Business Intellectual Property Authority’s records, non-compliant businesses have collectively accumulated a total of an estimated N$275 million in penalties for the period from 2012 to 2022. This is the sum that could potentially be waived if all non-compliant registered businesses opt to participate in BIPA’s annual duty penalty programme launched recently. The programme is set to come into effect from 15 November 2023 until 31 March 2024. BIPA Chief Executive Officer Vivienne Katjiuongua, made the announcement yesterday, saying the initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on business entities by waiving penalties and additional fees…

01 Nov

Shiimi’s tough balancing act

ObserverMainN$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies., Shiimi’s tough balancing act

Martin Endjala The highly anticipated mid-term year budget for the 2023/24 financial year, saw close to N$2.14 billion allocated to unforeseeable and unavoidable emergencies. Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, announced the development yesterday in Parliament while tabling the mid-term budget. These additional expenditure allocations Shiimi explained, represent the unforeseeable and unavoidable emergency items such as health, and drought among others which cannot be postponed until the tabling of the 2024/25 main budget next year. In addition, the operational budget was increased by N$2.5 billion, while the development budget remains unchanged at N$6.5 billion, and an additional…

31 Oct

Oshakati Hospital radiotherapy department to cost govt close to N$200 million

ObserverMainOshakati Hospital radiotherapy departmentto cost govt close to N$200 million

Hertta-Maria Amutenja With only one state-owned Oncology Centre in Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is embarking on a major expansion project at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital Radiotherapy Department. This endeavour is set to cost the government almost N$200 million, marking a considerable investment in the country’s healthcare system. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula announced this project during a recent session of the National Assembly, where he revealed that the ministry is working in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other stakeholders to expand the oncology department at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital. “Equipment…

30 Oct

“Mid-term budget is used for Swapo election campaign”

ObserverMainMid-term budget is used for Swapo election campaign

Martin Endjala Former Member of Parliament and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) President, Mike Kavekotora, has raised concerns that the mid-term budget, expected to be presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi next week, is being used as a political tool by the Swapo party for the upcoming elections. Kavekotora voiced his opinions during an interview with the Windhoek Observer in response to Minister Shiimi’s announcement in Parliament this week regarding the mid-term budget presentation. However, Kavekotora expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement, describing it as “lip service.” He argued that instead of focusing on the pressing needs of…

27 Oct

Govt questioned over Cabinet decision to spend N$25m on new vehicles

ObserverMainGovt questioned over Cabinet decision to spend N$25m on new vehicles

Stefanus Nashama Lawmakers from various opposition parties in Parliament have raised concerns about the Cabinet’s decision to authorize the Ministry of Works and Transport to purchase 32 government vehicles at a cost of N$25 million for the 2023/24 financial year. This decision contradicts a moratorium put in place by the Head of State, President Hage Geingob, in 2020 to reduce unnecessary spending on government vehicles. Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Epafras Mukwiilongo submitted a notice of questions to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, this week, indicating his intention to question the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises,…

26 Oct

Medical Stores seeks N$25 million to address medicine shortages

ObserverMainMedical Stores seeks N$25 million to address medicine shortages

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Central Medical Store under the Ministry of Health and Social Services has appealed for an increased budget of N$25 million for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a bid to address crucial medication shortages and enhance service delivery. This request comes after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs visited the facility to assess the situation. During the visit, officials highlighted a pressing issue affecting the availability of essential medications, particularly hypertensives, and diabetes drugs. The Medical Store representative emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying, “We are missing about ten crucial medications,…

25 Oct

Menzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

ObserverMainMenzies Aviation seeks leave to appeal High Court judgement…Says Judge Ueitele erred in law and fact

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia has officially announced its intention to seek permission to appeal a recent High Court judgment delivered at the beginning of October this year. On October 3, 2023, Justice Shafimana Ueitele of the Namibian High Court handed down a judgment and order of costs that dismissed Menzies Aviation’s Rule 121 application. In response, Menzies Aviation has filed an application for leave to appeal the entire judgment and the associated costs. Menzies Aviation’s application for leave to appeal is grounded in several key arguments. The company alleges that Justice Ueitele erred in both law and fact to…

24 Oct

Diamond Commissioner role not clearly defined in Diamond Board Act: Kandjeke

ObserverMainDiamond Commissioner role not clearly defined in Diamond Board Act: Kandjeke

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Auditor General (AG) Junias Kandjeke, has raised various concerns about the Diamond Board of Namibia’s operations, with one of them being the failure to clearly define the role of the Diamond Commissioner in the Diamond Board Act. The Board audited financial report for 2022, which Kandjeke submitted to the National Assembly recently for scrutiny, highlighted that the board is currently operating as a division within the Ministry of Mines and Energy. However, as per Section 21 of the Companies Act, 2004 (Act No. 28 of 2004), it is supposed to operate as an autonomous entity, while the Commissioner…

23 Oct

Over 70 premature babies died in nine months at Central Hospital

ObserverMainOver 70 premature babies died in nine months at Central Hospital

Hertta -Maria Amutenja Between January and September 2023, a total of 620 premature babies were admitted to the Windhoek Central Hospital Neonatal Unit, including referrals from various regions across Namibia. During the same period, 76 premature babies sadly lost their lives. According to Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, these losses can be attributed to a range of factors, primarily stemming from the prematurity of these infants. He explained that due to their prematurity, these babies are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are not well-developed enough to fight off infections.…