National News – Page 253 – Windhoek Observer

19 Jun

ECN confirms recovery of two missing laptops

ObserverNational NewsECN confirms recovery of two missing laptops

Stefanus Nashama The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that two of its missing 117 laptops were recovered in the logistics store room at its headquarters. This was confirmed by the ECN Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Theo Mujoro, in response to a letter of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member, Ivan Skrywer, who wrote to the ECN after the party was informed by close sources that two of the 117 laptops that went missing in January 2023 were recovered. Mujoro confirmed the recovery of the two laptops and said that the recovery was reported to the investigation officer.…

19 Jun

Electricity Control Board irked by Nampower blackouts

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board has reiterated that it will not support any debt collection plan that compromises lifesaving services and people’s livelihoods going forward. “In the future, any debt recovery plan by any licensee which compromises the lifesaving services and interruption to customers in good standings will not be supported by the ECB,” said the ECB Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise in a statement. Kahimise’s position follows NamPower’s announcement last month, about its debt collection plan to disconnect defaulting customers’ electricity as a measure to collect debt owed to it which stands at N$1.5 million, if defaulters do…

19 Jun

Presidency thanks Geingob for his exceptional leadership

ObserverNational NewsPresidency thanks Geingob for his exceptional leadership

Staff Reporter The Presidency has thanked President Hage Geingob for his steadfast, inclusive and visionary leadership as Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Founding Prime Minister and the third President of the Republic of Namibia. The vote of thanks came on the commemoration of the day on 18 June 1989 when President Geingob returned to Namibia after 27 years in exile. Upon setting foot on Namibian soil Geingob got down on his hands and knees and kissed the soil of the land. President Geingob led the first group of senior SWAPO freedom fighters, who would play a pivotal role in the…

19 Jun

Pocurement laws delaying delivery of affordable housing

ObserverNational NewsPocurement laws delaying delivery of affordable housing

Niël Terblanché Dina Namubes, the Mayor of Swakopmund has indicated that the cumbersome nature of Namibia’s Procurement Act has delayed the delivery of affordable housing to residents of the coastal town. Almost two years after the last of the first two phases of the Build Together Group Project was completed, the third Phase of the Build Together Group Project was launched by Namubes during a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday. During the ceremony, the Swakompund Municipality handed over 80 erven to beneficiaries to start the construction of their own homes. Phase 1, which consisted of 30 houses, commenced in May 2020…

19 Jun

Engineers feeling left out in decision-making

ObserverNational NewsEngineers feeling left out in decision-making

Martin Endjala The Engineering Professionals Association of Namibia (EPA) demands its presence at decision-making tables in order to better contribute to society with a strong voice. The EPA launched its five-year Strategic Plan which will serve as a roadmap for the next three years and the EPA Secretariat and Council is being urged to give full effect to the Strategic Plan. “The Engineering Fraternity needs to be heightened in Africa, particularly in Namibia. Engineers need to be recognized and involved in the decision-making role in society and not just be implementors of projects. This is something that the Engineering Fraternity…

19 Jun

Khomas Regional Council Budgets N$1,6 million for pit latrines

ObserverNational News6 million for pit latrines, Khomas Regional Council Budgets N$1

Stefanus Nashama The Khomas Regional Governor, Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, said the Khomas Regional Council has set aside N$ 1.6 million for pit latrines, for distribution to rural communities which are not near running water. In her State of Region address last week, Mcleod-Katjirua said that for the 2023/24 financial year, the regional council will implement a hybrid model of environmentally friendly dry pit latrines for those not close to water and flushing toilets for the communities close to water. Although the Governor did not specify the number of pit latrines and flushing toilets to be constructed in the rural communities, she…

19 Jun

Diplomatic passports for spouses questioned…MPs feeling left out

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The new implementation of diplomatic passports for Police Generals and Correctional Services Commissioners including all security clusters and Standing Committee Chairpersons as well as their spouses does not sit well with Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Elma Dienda, who says it is unacceptable as it leaves out crucial members of Parliament such as the Deputy Speaker. The implementation was I nitiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Safety and Security and furthermore accords diplomatic passports to the President and the First Lady, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and spouses. Dienda said National Assembly and National Council officials…

19 Jun

Skeletal remains found at Okakarara

ObserverNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Parts of a human skeleton along with some clothing items were found at Oukuvas Village in Okakarara constituency on Friday morning. According to the Namibian Police Spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the unidentified human remains consist of a skull with teeth, a jaw bone, ribs, a spine, arm and finger bones. She said people also found a brown jersey and a grey balaclava at the scene. On the same day at Ohadiwa Village, Endola the lifeless body of a female Angolan national, Judith Paula Ngongololo, was discovered in her bedroom. She was allegedly employed as a domestic worker…

16 Jun

“Desmantle Nampower” – Swartbooi

ObserverNational News“Desmantle Nampower” - Swartbooi

Martin Endjala Bernadus Swartbooi has called for the dismantling of NamPower, citing its inability to provide adequate electricity to people and its disregard for the fundamental issues facing society. The Landless People’s Movement leader was of the opinion that the debt accumulated by NamPower belongs to society. According to him, local authorities electricity and water debt must thus be written off. Swartbooi, during a media conference in Windhoek, yesterday said that the national electricity supplier must be dismantled for failing to build adequate power stations over the past 33 years and being a monopolistic retailer buying and selling electricity. “It…

16 Jun

Government praised for faring well on child protection

ObserverNational NewsGovernment praised for faring well on child protection

Martin Endjala The Government of Namibia has been praised for faring well concerning child protection despite its highs and lows, the country is said to be a work in progress and as well on track. The Day of the African Child Day is remembered every year on the 16th of June, and this year’s celebrations will be taking place in Rosh Pinah in the //Kharas Region. The day is being commemorated under the theme of the Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment. Nduminga Ndala, who is the Youth Leader for the Landless People’s Movement Party believes that Namibia…