Main – Page 37 – News Stand

14 Nov

We will deconstruct all economic redlines once in power: Angula

info_e12wt4csMainWe 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

info_e12wt4csMainLack 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

info_e12wt4csMainGRN 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

info_e12wt4csMainProposed 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

info_e12wt4csMain

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

info_e12wt4csMainSanitation 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

info_e12wt4csMainNamdia 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…

03 Nov

N$3.4 Billion secured for improvement of railway

info_e12wt4csMain

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

info_e12wt4csMainBIPA 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

info_e12wt4csMainN$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…