National News – Page 206 – Windhoek Observer

12 Dec

Prime minister encourages disaster risk preparedness

ObserverNational NewsPrime minister encourages disaster risk preparedness

Stefanus Nashama Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, recognizing Namibia’s vulnerability to climate change, has stressed the importance of the disaster risk engagement communication strategy as a crucial element of risk preparedness. “We must pave the way for a paradigm shift in disaster risk management and adopt an approach that is steeped in proactive measures, vigilance, and robust communication strategies,” she said. The Premier made these remarks during the official launch of the awareness and communication strategy for disaster risk management in the capital recently. She reiterated that the platform’s objective is to enhance the national capacity to prevent, mitigate, prepare for,…

12 Dec

Chevron donation to boost resilience in Namibia

ObserverNational NewsChevron donation to boost resilience in Namibia

Niël Terblanché Namibia is keen to explore extended cooperation with the Russian Federation to finally lay the cornerstone for tangible industrialization. Russian Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, who also chairs the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, recently held talks with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. During these discussions, both leaders reiterated that Russia will play a crucial role in Namibia’s industrialization agenda and various areas of trade, including agriculture, mining, and health. Addressing the gathering, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed Namibia’s eagerness to enhance cooperation with the Russian Federation across multiple domains. She stressed…

12 Dec

Nandi-Ndaitwah confident that Russia holds the key to industrialisation

ObserverNational NewsNamibia is keen to explore extended cooperation with the Russian Federation to finally lay the cornerstone for tangible industrialization.

Niël Terblanché Namibia is keen to explore extended cooperation with the Russian Federation to finally lay the cornerstone for tangible industrialization. Russian Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, who also chairs the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, recently held talks with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. During these discussions, both leaders reiterated that Russia will play a crucial role in Namibia’s industrialization agenda and various areas of trade, including agriculture, mining, and health. Addressing the gathering, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed Namibia’s eagerness to enhance cooperation with the Russian Federation across multiple domains. She stressed…

08 Dec

Fishrot trial must proceed despite hiccups

ObserverNational NewsFishrot trial must proceed despite hiccups

Niël Terblanché The notorious Fishrot corruption trial in Namibia is set to continue today despite a variety of legal challenges and plea requests from the accused individuals. Acting High Court Judge Moses Chinhengo has ruled that the trial must resume, rejecting further postponements, as key figures in the case remain without legal representation. The trial started almost four years after the corruption saga was uncovered, The prominence of the accused persons in Namibian society, namely the political and financial landscape from whence they hail, has had severe negative effects on Namibia’s fishing industry and its profitability. The case also caused…

08 Dec

Namcor completes annual marine tanker offshore jetty drill test

ObserverNational NewsNamcor completes annual marine tanker offshore jetty drill test

Martin Endjala The National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor) has announced the successful conclusion of its Annual Marine Tanker Jetty Offshore Industrial Drill test. The drill, conducted in collaboration with the Namibian Port Authority (Namport), the Namibian Navy, Namibian Police Force, Walvis Bay Municipality Traffic Department and the Walvis Bay Fire brigade, took place at the Namcor offshore Tanker Jetty on 1 December 2023. Namcor Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Manager Paulo Coelho said that this year’s drill was centred around a comprehensive offshore emergency response procedure, covering firefighting, evacuation, search and rescue operations. He added that the objective was to evaluate…

08 Dec

Namibia Affirms commitment to combat corruption

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Affirms commitment to combat corruption

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia, while commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day, reiterated its commitment to the continued fight against corruption. During the event held in Katima Mulilo this week, Director-General for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Paulus Noa, underscored the global initiative launched by the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2003, emphasising the shared responsibility of individuals in putting an end to corruption. Noa stressed the significance of Namibia’s adherence to the Convention since 2006, with the ACC leading the annual commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day. The core mandate of the ACC, he asserted, includes the investigation of corruption allegations and taking…

08 Dec

Namfisa imposes cap on some medical aid…Medicial aid industry worth N$1.9 billion

ObserverNational NewsNamfisa imposes cap on some medical aid…Medicial aid industry worth N$1.9 billion

Staff Writer The Namibia Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has embarked on proactive measures aimed at securing the long-term sustainability of the medical aid fund industry. In response to the escalating challenges posed by rising medical aid contribution rates, Namfisa says it is dedicated to members’ well-being and industry sustainability, and has implemented a temporary cap on some funds’ annual contribution increases, limiting it to a single-digit percentage (maximum increase of 9.99%). The industry has been given until 20 March 2024, to submit additional contribution increase applications along with realistic medium-term strategies to address the sustainability of the funds. Namfisa…

08 Dec

Payment delays are a major concern

ObserverNational NewsPayment delays are a major concern

Stefanus Nashama Alex Shimuafeni, the Statistician-General of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), said that addressing payment delays, primarily due to verification processes, was a significant concern during the enumeration and post-enumeration survey periods. Apart from other challenges faced during these two critical phases, Shimuafeni shared these insights at a media conference held yesterday in Windhoek, providing an update on the 2023 population and housing census and the post-enumeration survey. “Fieldworkers faced compensation issues, and advocates, along with key stakeholders, worked tirelessly to resolve them,” Shimuafeni stated. To expedite the verification process and maintain accuracy, the NSA recruited additional temporary staff.…

08 Dec

Namibia urged to prioritise environmental sustainability

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, Melania Ndjago has stressed the need for Namibia to bolster its commitment to environmental sustainability. Drawing inspiration from discussions at the Nevsky International Ecological Congress held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, earlier this year, Ndjago outlined several key recommendations in a report aimed at fostering a green and sustainable future for Namibia. The first recommendation advocates for the government, specifically through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, to construct or reinforce legal corridors that encourage and support organisations, individuals and businesses to operate in an environmentally…

08 Dec

NamPower pioneers innovative electricity storage solution

ObserverNational NewsNamPower pioneers innovative electricity storage solution

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) has concluded the acquisition process of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the Omburu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). According to Tangeni Kamangula, NamPower’s Manager of Corporate Communication and Marketing, the state-owned utility company is set to sign the contract for the establishment of the BESS project with the Shandong Electrical, Engineering and Equipment Group and Zhejiang Narada Power Source joint venture next Wednesday. Kamangula indicated that the signing of the contract will officially launch a new aspect of NamPower’s ability to provide electricity to the nation. The Omburu Battery Energy…