National News – Page 231 – Windhoek Observer

10 Aug

New NDF recruits graduate

ObserverNational NewsDefence Minister, Frans Kapofi, New NDF recruits graduate

Niël Terblanché OVER 1000 new Namibian Defence Force (NDF) recruits celebrated their graduation at a spectacular parade at Oshona Base near Okahandja. Speaking at the pass out parade, Defence Minister, Frans Kapofi said the journey of the 1 264 recruits, which began in November last year, took the recruits through a difficult nine months of hard training. “The training was very difficult, and I believe some of you considered quitting at some point, but you persevered, and thus you line up here today, tall and proud,” he remarked. According to Kapofi, the training was divided into three phases that were…

10 Aug

Sibinda health centre goes a year without water

ObserverNational NewsSibinda health centre goes a year without water, Sibinda Health Centre in the Zambezi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A nurse at the Sibinda Health Centre in the Zambezi region has disclosed that the health institution has been suffering from acute water shortages for over a year. The nurse, known only as Steven, told the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs that a lack of water is impeding their efforts to provide public services. The clinic’s struggles to deliver effective healthcare services without access to water, according to the nurse, have resulted in substantial challenges for both patients and healthcare personnel. “The main challenge we face is a lack of water. The…

10 Aug

Kabbe North residents want permission to catch crocs, hippos

ObserverNational Newshippos, Kabbe North residents want permission to catch crocs, Kabbe residents

Martin Endjala KABBE North Constituency residents in the Zambezi region are pushing for a policy that will allow them to catch crocodiles and hippopotamuses every year to lower their population and eliminate human-wildlife conflicts. The residents appealed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday during a public session. The parliamentary committee is touring the region for community input on the critical subject of human-wildlife conflict. Human-wildlife conflict has already been discussed in the National Assembly after various communities nationwide complained about wild animals killing them and their cattle and damaging their houses. Kabbe residents live near the…

10 Aug

US Ambassador Tsumkwe visit commended

ObserverNational NewsNamibia Randy Berry visited Tsumkwe from August 2 to 4, US Ambassador Tsumkwe visit commended

Staff Writer UNITED States (US) Ambassador to Namibia Randy Berry visited Tsumkwe from August 2 to 4 to meet with community leaders, students, conservation actors, and health care professionals. During his two-day visit, Ambassador Berry paid a courtesy visit to the Mangetti Dune Health Centre and met with the nurse-in-charge and tuberculosis (TB) field promoter. The nurse described the HIV/TB services provided at the location thanks to funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a vital tool for saving lives. PEPFAR assists the health centre by…

09 Aug

Senior Govt employees barred from electioneering

ObserverNational NewsExecutive Directors, National Assembly, National Council, Senior Govt employees barred from electioneering

Staff Writer CABINET Secretary, George Simataa says government employees in managerial positions are not allowed to participate in political activities that promote political party ideas. Simataa released a public service management circular on Tuesday addressed to the National Assembly, Executive Directors, National Council, Chief Electoral Officer, Regional Councils, labour unions, and other government-affiliated organisations. According to the Public Service Act (Act No. 13 of 1995), government employees in management positions are not permitted to preside over public political meetings that promote political party ideas. Simataa’s proclamation follows media reports on senior government officials who are said to be seeking senior…

09 Aug

Avail funds for medicine to be readily available, Govt told

ObserverNational NewsAvail funds for medicine to be readily available, Govt told, Meundju Jahanika, POPULAR Democratic Movement (PDM) Elders Council

Stefanus Nashama POPULAR Democratic Movement (PDM) Elders Council has asked government to grant additional funds to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in order for the Ministry to be able to furnish government hospitals and clinics with readily available medicines and health passports. The Council also recommended that government provide suitable and sufficient storage facilities to ensure adequate pharmaceutical stock. According to PDM Elders Council Acting Secretary, Meundju Jahanika, the shortage of drugs in public health facilities, particularly in rural areas, is a severe issue that mostly affects the elderly. Jahanika stated in a media statement yesterday that…

09 Aug

Medicine worth N$20m at risk of spoilage at Rundu medical store…MoHSS ignores air conditioning system repairs for two years

ObserverFeatured, National NewsDoctor Nelson Olabanji, Medicine worth N$20m at riskof spoilage at Rundu medical store…MoHSS ignores air conditioning system repairs for two years

Hertta-Maria Amutenja MEDICINE and other essential clinical supplies valued at approximately N$ 20 million are on the brink of spoilage at Rundu medical store, due to malfunctioning cooling system. The air conditioning system is said to have come to a halt almost two years ago, and remains unrepaired due to lack of funding, putting medical supplies in jeopardy. This was revealed on Tuesday by officials who are managing the medical store, while testifying before the National Council Standing Committee on Health. They said the facility’s cooling system urgently requires repair with the cost estimated to be over N$ 500 000.…

09 Aug

ECB grants CENORED green light to increase prices

ObserverNational NewsECB grants CENORED green light to increase prices, THE Electricity Control Board (ECB)

Staff Writer THE Electricity Control Board (ECB) has approved a price increase request for electricity by CENORED, at a rate of 7.6 percent for the entity, which mainly operates in central parts of Namibia. CENORED initially applied to ECB to increase its rates by 8.0 percent and 3,5 percent in both Okahandja and Omaheke, however, only, the regulator, only approved an increase of 7,3 percent and 3,3 percent in such areas, respectively. This in essence means domestic consumers will now pay N$ 100 for 35 units of electricity from the initial 40 units, whereas businesses will fork out N$ 100…

09 Aug

Iipumbu urges NaCC, NEAB boards to uphold public governance standards

ObserverNational NewsIipumbu urges NaCC, Namibia Estate Agents Boards of Directors (NEAB, NEAB boards to uphold public governance standards

Staff Writer Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, has implored Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) and the Namibia Estate Agents Boards of Directors (NEAB) to uphold public governance standards. Iipumbu said this during the inauguration of the boards of directors which jointly took place in Windhoek on Monday. She reminded the directors that sound corporate governance is the basis for any institution’s success, and encourages the two boards to lead the institutions in line with the Public Enterprises Governance Act. “Good corporate governance requires credible and trustworthy institutions built on principles of transparency and accountability. Accountability goes beyond the mere…

09 Aug

Omuthiya ready for August 26 Commemorations

ObserverNational NewsOttilie Shingenge

Stefanus Nashama OMUTHIYA Town Council says it is ready to host this year’s 33rd Heroes Day commemorations on August 26 at the Omuthiya Recreational Park. Omuthiya Town Council Spokesperson, Ottilie Shingenge stated on Wednesday that the town is ready to host the Heroes’ Day celebration for the second time after hosting it in 2012. “In terms of readiness, Omuthiya Town Council, as a hosting town, is ready to host the 26 August 33 Heroes’ Day commemorations. In terms of venue, cleanliness of the town, and all logistic arrangements are in place,” she said. This follows an official announcement was made…