National News – Page 272 – Windhoek Observer

10 Jun

Oshikoto police urge public to report drought relief food theft

National News

Martin Endjala The Oshikoto Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, has asked residents to refrain from demanding that the police arrest suspected drought relief food thieves. Her demands come after residents of Tsumeb accused Tsumeb Constituency Councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela and council officials of stealing the estimated N$100 000 worth of drought relief food last month. “The Namibian Police also warned people not to demand the arrest of others but rather come to the police and give correct information or provide such information anonymously on the established platform. Finally, rest assured that the public will soon be updated in this regard,”…

10 Jun

Labour cases left in limbo as commissioner deregisters trade unions

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The recent decision by the Labour Commissioner to deregister seven trade unions and one employers' organisation has left workers and employers in a state of uncertainty. Daniel Imbili, president of Namibia Fishing Industries and the Fisherman Workers Union (NFI and FWU), expressed concern over the implications of the deregistration. "Labour cases of union members are now left hanging in the air unless the companies and perhaps the Labour Commissioner grant us permission to complete the cases. The major issue here is one never knows who their friend or enemy is," he said. Imbili also stated that the union…

10 Jun

Namibian SOEs serve as assets

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are shedding their reputation as financial burdens and emerging as vital contributors to national development. This transformation was the central theme at the ninth annual State-Owned Enterprises Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Oshakati over the weekend. The event, which also featured a series of inter-SOE sports events, highlighted the evolving role of SOEs in the country’s economic landscape. The chairperson of the Public Enterprises Chief Executive Officer’s Forum, Fluksman Samuehl, expressed optimism about the future of SOEs. “Namibia’s SOEs are no longer seen as liabilities to the government. They are now crucial partners…

10 Jun

Unreturned medical equipment cripples public hospitals

National News

Ester Mbathera Public hospitals are struggling with the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery due to unreturned medical equipment, including wheelchairs, crutches, and other assistive devices, as well as technological products such as prostheses, hearing aids, and visual aids. Walter Kamaya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS), pointed out that the failure to return loaned medical equipment is hampering service provision in public hospitals, particularly within the occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and medical rehabilitation departments. “The personal mobility of clients who require wheelchairs has been greatly impacted due to the shortage of wheelchairs in the country. This…

10 Jun

Zambezi Region takes a digital leap

National News

Niël Terblanché The construction of a new communications tower in Ikumwe village represents a significant milestone in Namibia's quest to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity in rural areas. Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, stressed the transformative potential of this project during the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday. According to her, the new tower will usher in a new era of digital inclusion and economic development for the village and the larger Zambezi Region. Theofelus said that the lack of digital infrastructure in Namibia has long hindered local businesses from competing in the broader marketplace, thereby…

09 Jun

Safety ministry warns against a correctional service job scam

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has issued a stern warning to the public about a fraudulent scheme involving false promises of employment with the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS). According to Deputy Commissioner John Kambimbi, spokesperson for the NCS, these fraudsters are soliciting money from unsuspecting individuals by claiming they can secure positions at the NCS in exchange for payment. Kambimbi cited numerous instances in which these scams have deceived people. In one notable case, a fraudulent recruiter demanded N$2,000 from a victim, falsely promising that the payment would cover the cost of specialised training…

09 Jun

NSI presents strategic roadmap for Green Hydrogen

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Standards Institution (NSI) recently convened a diverse group of stakeholders to strategize on the country’s transition to greener energies to move towards sustainable development, The focus of the discussion was the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for green hydrogen, aimed at boosting investor confidence and aligning Namibia with global energy markets. Eino Mvula, the chief executive officer of NSI, emphasised the pivotal role of the institution in setting standards that will underpin the growth of the renewable energy sector. “Our goal is to foster economic growth and position Namibia as a leader in renewable energy…

09 Jun

Namibia and South Korea sign investment partnership

National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia has taken a step towards enhancing its international investment landscape by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Trade Investment Promotion Agency. The Namibian Cabinet approved and signed this agreement during last week's inaugural South Korea-Africa summit in Seoul. The summit, a landmark event, brought together representatives from 48 African nations, including 25 African heads of state. The summit's discussions centred on enhancing trade, technology, and investment ties between South Korea and the African continent. According to Eino Mvula, chief executive officer of the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI), the MoU is a crucial development in…

09 Jun

Walvis Bay announces an increase in rates and taxes

National News

Niël Terblanché Residents of Walvis Bay will face increased utility costs after the town's budget for the upcoming financial year is approved. The Walvis Bay Town Council has greenlighted a budget that includes tariff hikes of 5% for water and 2.5% for sewerage, refuse, rates, and taxes. Richard Hoaeb, the chairperson of the management committee, presented the budget, which totals N$566 million, during a council meeting on Thursday. According to Hoabeb, the budget outlines both expected revenue and expenditure for the new financial year, with each amounting to approximately N$566 million. “This balanced approach adheres to the line ministry’s requirement…

09 Jun

Uninterrupted education and cultural integration needed in remote areas

National News

Niël Terblanché The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Youth Development recently convened a series of meetings with key stakeholders to explore strategies for ensuring uninterrupted access to education, particularly in remote regions. These discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating arts, culture, and heritage into the national education system. During the engagements, the committee focused on the pivotal role of network coverage in providing consistent educational opportunities to students in remote areas. Adequate network coverage is essential for bridging the educational divide, allowing students to access digital learning resources and participate in online classes,…