National News – Page 235 – Windhoek Observer

13 Aug

Agriculture ministry sets aside N$62 million to transform farming

National NewsFifth National Development Plan (NDP5), Harambee Prosperity Plan

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has declared its intention to provide subsidies to farmers in various regions through its agriculture program. The estimated funding for this initiative is approximately N$62 million. According to Jona Musheko, the ministry's spokesperson, these subsidised production programs are not new and are implemented annually. The program has already started and will continue until next year. “The subsidies are as high as 65% and 50% minimum. Three are available in all regions, apart from the dairy, which started as a pilot and is now slowly moving to other regions. We have…

13 Aug

Namibia demands reform of UNSC to correct Africa’s exclusion

National NewsUnited Nations Security Council

Niël Terblanché International relations minister, Peya Mushelenga wants the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the historical exclusion of Africa from permanent membership. Mushelenga was speaking at the UNSC high-level debate on international peace and security that took place in New York on Monday. "Africa cannot continue to stand as a passive spectator in the global political field," he said while stressing that the current geopolitical power distribution sidelines an entire continent from crucial decision-making processes. Mushelenga stressed that the reform of the UNSC is not a request for favours but a legitimate plea for justice and equality. “Maintaining…

13 Aug

Taxi union leader accuses Supreme Court of stalling multimillion-dollar lawsuit

National News

Stefanus Nashama Werner Januarie, the President of the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU), has accused the Supreme Court of not giving a satisfactory explanation for not reinstating his N$74 million claim against the government. Januarie, speaking with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, expressed frustration with the court’s inability to set a hearing date for the case. “The problem is that the Supreme Court has not determined the date on which the matter will be heard,” he said. The Supreme Court's decision led to the removal of the matter from the court roll, according to the court documents. Since then,…

13 Aug

Lüderitz port expansion to transform energy and trade landscape

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia is advancing its plans to expand the Port of Lüderitz, integral to the country’s strategy for enhancing support to industries such as oil, gas, and green hydrogen production. The Namibian Ports Authority’s (Namport) executive of port engineering, Elzevir Gelderbloem, has stressed that the Robert Harbour quay wall extension project will undergo rigorous inspections, including underwater surveys. In a report by nambusinessexpress.com Gelderbloem said that the expansion of the Port of Lüderitz is not just about increasing capacity; it is about positioning the port as a key logistics hub for Namibia’s oil, gas, and green hydrogen industries. According…

13 Aug

WHO drives immunisation and nutrition intervention

National NewsAfrican Vaccination Week in Namibia, World Health Organization

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from the Government of Japan, conducted an urgent health intervention from 5 to 9 August during African Vaccination Week in Namibia. According to a report published by the WHO, the initiative that was launched in the Omaheke region was aimed at addressing critical health challenges, including vaccine hesitancy and malnutrition, particularly among children under the age of five and vulnerable populations in remote areas. The WHO report states that the Omaheke region, known for the long distances people must…

12 Aug

Works ministry weighs in on Road Safety Bills

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Works and Transport is moving forward with legislative initiatives aimed at improving road safety in the wake of a tragic bus accident last week. These measures include the finalisation of several key bills that address various aspects of road safety. The deputy executive director of the department of transport at the ministry, Jonas Sheelongo, provided an overview of the ministry's approach following a call from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) for stricter regulations, specifically targeting the operating hours and rest periods of small bus drivers to prevent fatigue-related accidents. "In the short term, promotional and…

12 Aug

LPM criticises education minister’s ‘Think Outside the Box’ approach

National News

Stefanus Nashama The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has criticised education minister Anna Nghipondoka for her recent call to educators to “think outside the box” to improve learners' performance despite the challenges of a lack of classrooms and overcrowding. The LPM’s spokesperson, Lifalaza Simataa, in a statement last week, said the minister’s remarks lack innovation. “The minister's approach, ironically, lacks innovation, and she fails to ‘think outside’ the box," as she echoes the same sentiments expressed by the minister of education in 2017. Similar sentiments place immense pressure on under-resourced teachers, with zero accountability for the failures of the ministry,” Simataa…

12 Aug

WHO and Japan partner to combat cervical cancer in Namibia

National News

Niël Terblanché The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Government of Japan, donated cervical cancer screening instruments to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in the Omaheke region. According to a statement published by the WHO, the donation was made under the Japan-funded project titled "Increasing Access to Quality Nutrition and Protection Services for Vulnerable Populations," which focuses on enhancing access to vital health interventions, particularly for women and children. Dr. Temptation Chigova, WHO’s Maternal and Child Health Officer, delivered remarks on behalf of WHO Namibia's representative, Dr. Richard Banda, expressing gratitude to the Government of…

12 Aug

Windhoek mayor defends prepaid electricity meters blocking

National NewsWindhoek Mayor

Stefanus Nashama The mayor of the City of Windhoek has defended the blocking of prepaid electricity meters due to outstanding debts while adding that such actions do not violate any laws. Queen Kamati said this at a media briefing last week. “The city will continue to use prepaid meter blocking as a complementary measure alongside other debt collection methods,” she explained. According to Kamati, the approach ensures the financial sustainability of the city's services as it encourages timely payments from residents. Kamati said the accumulation of unpaid bills led to a financial shortfall for the municipality. She said, this affects…

12 Aug

NamPol clarifies stance on seven-seater taxis

National NewsBus operators, Traffic Law Enforcement Officers

Niël Terblanché The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has addressed rising concerns and allegations that Traffic Law Enforcement Officers are discriminating against operators of seven-seater vehicles. In a statement issued on Monday, Shikongo denied any such actions, clarifying that the Namibian Police have not authorized any discriminatory practices in enforcing the Road Traffic and Transportation Act 22 of 1999 (as amended) or the Road Transportation Act, Act 74 of 1977. Shikongo reiterated that seven-seater vehicles with valid public transportation permits are permitted to operate as specified by their permits. “Vehicles operating without public transportation permits…