National News – Page 241 – Windhoek Observer

28 Sep

NEFF calls for transparency and accountability in government tenders

ObserverNational Newse Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) to award a N$1.3 billion pharmaceutical supply tender, NEFF calls for transparency and accountability in government tenders

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) have criticized the recent decision by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) to award a N$1.3 billion pharmaceutical supply tender to Cospharm Investment Pty Ltd, a company predominantly owned by a five-year-old child. In a pointed statement, NEFF Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Kalimbo Iipumbu, stressed that this decision is not only ethically questionable but also raises serious concerns regarding the prioritization of foreign interests over the welfare of Namibian citizens. “It is unconscionable for a billion-dollar tender to be entrusted to an individual who is barely old enough to attend school. The approval…

28 Sep

NamPol and NamPort unified in the battle against organised crime

ObserverNational NewsNamPol and NamPort unified in the battle against organised crime

Niël Terblanché A new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed between the Namibian Police and the Namibian Ports Authority (NamPort), marking a crucial step in augmenting Namibia’s technical capacity to combat transnational organized crime. This development, embraced by both entities, promises quick and direct access to INTERPOL databases allowing for criminal data search and cross-checking in mere seconds. The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo and Andrew Kanime, the Chief Executive Officer of NamPort signed the mutual accord during a special ceremony in Walvis Bay earlier this week. The MoA is aimed at strengthening cooperation…

28 Sep

Horse shoe Market struggles with a myriad of severe challenges

ObserverNational NewsHorse shoe Market struggles with a myriad of severe challenges

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Horseshoe Market, colloquially known as Uutala Wa Libertina, located at Katutura Single Quarters, serves as a central hub for vendors including barbers, hairdressers, and tailors. The market has recently attracted attention due to allegations surrounding unauthorized subletting of stalls and unclear ownership regulations. One vendor, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed that they feel like they are paying rent twice. The vendor detailed that both she and her stall mate, a barber, are required to contribute N$600 each per month directly to the market’s bank account. Moreover, they must each pay an additional N$300 to the previous stallholders…

27 Sep

Green Charcoal Namibia promises 850 jobs and a sustainable future

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGreen Charcoal Namibia promises 850 jobs and a sustainable future

Niël Terblanché The Green Charcoal Namibia (GCN) factory, an N$60 million investment officially inaugurated in Arandis on Monday, is a forerunner of over 850 indirect jobs and the promise of a sustainable future. These jobs will span various fields including production, transport, machinery manufacturing, engineering, and export, bolstering the nation’s employment rate significantly. The factory currently employs over 50 individuals, with plans to create an additional 30 permanent jobs by 2025. Christine //Hoebes, Minister in the Presidency, declared the project “a giant step” towards ecological conservation, clean energy, and community well-being. “The production of green charcoal is not just an…

27 Sep

Namibia is among five countries toproduce GH2 at competitive rates: Uandja

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGreen Hydrogen (GH2), Namibia is among five countries toproduce GH2 at competitive rates: Uandja

Martin Endjala Nangula Uaandja, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has announced that due to Namibia’s unparalleled wind and solar resources, the country is among five globally that have the potential to produce Green Hydrogen (GH2) at competitive rates. Uaandja made this remark at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, while showcasing Namibia’s unique opportunities and comparative advantages as an investment destination. She mentioned that the cost of green hydrogen produced in Namibia is projected to be between $1.73 and $2.30 per kilogram, with exports expected to…

27 Sep

Namibia shines bright in global limelight

ObserverNational News

Niël Terblanché Namibia garnered significant attention at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York over the past week, with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) hosting influential investment promotion activities. According to Catherine Shipushu, Senior Manager of Marketing, Branding and Communications at the NIPDB the mission was aimed at bolstering foreign and domestic investments as viable levers to facilitate sustainable economic growth and quality employment creation in Namibia. Namibia has showcased a resilient economy, registering a 4.2 percent growth rate in 2022. The nation’s meticulous investment promotion strategies are bearing fruit, attaining the number one rank…

27 Sep

Gender ministry in need of social workers

ObserverNational Newsand Social Welfare (MGEPESW), Gender Equality, Gender ministry in need of social workers, poverty eradication

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Given the rising number of orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) is in urgent need of additional social workers, according to a report by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke. Kandjeke’s follow-up performance audit report, covering the financial years 2019/20 to 2021/22, highlighted the critical requirement for more social workers within the ministry. The initial audit revealed that an alarming 57 percent of social worker positions were vacant. However, a subsequent audit showed substantial improvement, with only 16 percent of these positions still unoccupied. Considering these findings, Kandjeke recommends…

27 Sep

Dundee Precious Metals commissions first-of-its-kind waste management facility

ObserverNational NewsDundee Precious Metals commissions first-of-its-kind waste management facility, Zebra Kasete

Martin Endjala Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb smelter has announced the commissioning of its unique general waste management facility in the Oshikoto region that was acquired at a cost of N$15 million. This project, the first of its kind in the region, will focus on segregating and sorting waste at the source to minimize waste to landfill. This was confirmed yesterday by Dundee’s Vice President and Managing Director, Zebra Kasete, in Tsumeb. Kasete stated that the investment demonstrates Dundee’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and steward of the environment. The Integrated Waste Management Facility comprises several key components, including…

27 Sep

Journalists in distress without properly registered union

ObserverNational NewsJemima Beukes, Journalists in distress without properly registered union, Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU)

Stefanus Nashama The struggle to register the Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU) over the past three years is reportedly having profound and distressing impacts on journalists’ lives in Namibia, according to Acting Secretary-General Jemima Beukes. She conveyed these concerns in a statement released over the weekend. Beukes stated that without official registration, NAMPU is hindered in its ability to intervene effectively in the numerous challenges confronting the media industry, particularly those affecting journalists. “As it stands, all the Union can do is write letters of demand, given it has yet to secure official registration with the office of the labour…

27 Sep

Horses will be used tocombat poaching in Etosha

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama In an innovative approach to curbing illegal poaching, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has acquired 13 horses, at a cost of N$130 000, for patrol duties in the Etosha National Park. The ministry disclosed that each horse was purchased at a cost of N$10,000, with financial support from the Game Product Trust Fund, which donated the necessary funds to the ministry. Minister Pohamba Shifeta unveiled this initiative last Friday, during the commemoration of World Rhino Day at Etosha National Park. He elaborated that the introduction of horse patrols is intended to enhance the efficiency of current…