National News – Page 239 – Windhoek Observer

25 Jul

A review of the Labour law is long overdue

ObserverNational NewsA review of the Labour law is long overdue, Paul Situmba

Martin Endjala The Mine Workers Union of Namibia Assistant Secretary, Paul Situmba says as much as he wants to be excited about the review of the Labour Law, he lamented the length of time that the process is taking. Situmba said while the review is underway, workers continue to suffer in their workplaces while the review keeps going on and never concludes. “It is long overdue. They have dragged on with the review for years now. When are they going to conclude so that we can finally see the law addressing some of these shortcomings? I have even lost the…

25 Jul

Omuthiya Town Council resolves the water crisis in Kaniita Location

ObserverNational NewsKaniita location in Omuthiya Town, Omuthiya Town Council resolves the water crisis in Kaniita Location

Stefanus Nashama Following an outcry from the residents of the Kaniita location in Omuthiya Town, the Council on Sunday met with the community residents to discuss the current water supply crisis and find amicable solutions to have the service restored. Omuthiya Mayor, John Ndeutepo, stated that the Council leadership resolved to provide the residents with new communal water meters free of charge and that the water charges will be discounted to be affordable for all residents. He indicated that the council will charge N$1.00 per 20-litre container. He further indicated that residents, who own plots at the Kaniita location with…

25 Jul

Giant engines will drive up generation capacity

ObserverNational NewsAnixas Power Station, Giant engines will drive up generation capacity

Niël Terblanché Three giant diesel-powered engines that will be used to generate electricity at the Anixas Power Station in Walvis Bay arrived at the port at the start of the past weekend. The engines along with generators will be used in the new Anixas II development of the power station currently under construction. According to Simson Haulofu, the Managing Director of NamPower, the three engines and their generator units have a combined generation capacity of 54 Mega Watt. The engines can be powered by either diesel or natural gas and along with the older equipment already installed will generate a…

24 Jul

Private-funded students owing NUST blocked from registering

ObserverNational NewsPrivate-funded students owing NUST blocked from registering

Disgruntled self-funded Students owing the Namibia University of Science and Technology(NUST) say the university is failing them after they have been blocked from registering for second semester, saying that the university refuses to listen to their pleas. The university blocked students from registering due to outstanding debts incurred during the previous semester. The institute demands that outstanding debt must be settled before students will be allowed to register for the second semester. Several students have expressed concerns about their future at the institution because they are unable to settle their debts. Maria Amutenya, a student who is self-funded said that…

24 Jul

Mbumba calls for morecustodial officers at the NCS

ObserverNational NewsMbumba calls for morecustodial officers at the NCS, Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), Nangolo Mbumba

Stefanus Nashama Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has called for an increased effort to ensure that more custodial staff are recruited to improve the effective delivery of services at national correctional centres. Mbumba noted that the shortage of custodial officers has negative implications on the daily responsibilities of the Namibian Correctional Service such as the operating of entrances and exits, guarding of inmates admitted at public hospitals, the manning of guard tower posts, conducting of searches and the escort of inmates to various destinations such as courts, amongst others. He explained that for the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) to ensure safe…

24 Jul

NAC receives a good report card

ObserverNational NewsJohn Mutorwa, NAC receives a good report card, Titus Ndove

Niël Terblanché A transitional journey of the Namibia Airports Company over the last three years realistically reflects tangible improvements in leadership, management, and governance. The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) held a successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 19 July 2023 for the preceding three financial years, namely 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to bring the company in line with compliance and governance requirements as outlined in the Companies Act (Act No. 28 of 2004) and the Public Enterprises Governance Ac (Act No. 1 of 2019). The AGM was attended by John Mutorwa, the Minister of Works and Transport, Titus Ndove, the…

24 Jul

N$35 million budgeted for roads in Omusati

ObserverNational NewsN$35 million budgeted for roads in Omusati

Stefanus Nashama The Omusati Governor, Erginus Endjala, said the government has availed N$35 million for upgrading the Tsandi-Omugulugwombashe gravel road to bitumen standard. According to Endjala, the construction of the Tsandi-Omugulugwombashe tar road is to be done in two phases for ten months. He said the road stretches 22 kilometres from Tsandi to the Omugulugwombashe Memorial Site. Endjala explained that the construction of this road makes a crucial contribution to the country’s economic development and growth and brings important social benefits to residents in the region. The Governor said this during his State of the Region Address last week while…

24 Jul

Data initiatives must strengthen the agricultural sector

ObserverNational News(FAO), Data initiatives must strengthen the agricultural sector

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have joined forces to strengthen Namibia’s agriculture and fisheries sectors through data-driven initiatives. The venture will focus on addressing existing data gaps in the agriculture sector. The collaboration will see the two organizations team up on two critical projects; the development of the Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Statistics (SPARS), and the creation of the Census for Agriculture project document. The SPARS project, which has a focus on evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation, aims to equip the agricultural sector with the…

24 Jul

Hyphen Energy wants to create a skills database

ObserverNational News, Observer MoneyHyphen Energy wants to create a skills database, skills development and potential employees., Toni Beukes

Martin Endjala Hypen Africa Energy has revealed that it is looking at creating and implementing a local database that will focus on skills development and potential employees. The project is aimed at closing the gap that has been identified in the Technical and Education Vocational Training (TVET) sector such as the National Training Authority and the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology amongst others, that offers training up to Level 5. The Head of Hyphen Energy Environment, Social Governance, Toni Beukes explained that studies currently being conducted are mostly targeting researchers who require Levels 7 to 9, resulting in TVET…

21 Jul

Sexually active persons urged to combat STIs

ObserverNational NewsKalumbi Shangula, Sexually active persons urged to combat STIs

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has urged sexually active persons to make use of condoms and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Infectious (STIs). According to Shangula, sexually transmitted infections pose a significant public health challenge as proven by available statistics that there has been an upward trend of such infections in the country, despite the commendable progress made by the government in reducing STIs and HIV infections. Shangula made these remarks yesterday at the launch of the third edition of the national guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections.…