National News – Page 274 – Windhoek Observer

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.…

21 Jul

Power struggles at Karasburg Town Council

ObserverNational NewsCEO Nico Titus, Power struggles at Karasburg Town Council

Martin Endjala The Karasburg Town Council continues to have back-and-forth push factors, as the Chief Executive Officer saga continues to take centre stage. Staff members are now divided about who’s instructions to follow. The current substantive CEO Nico Titus who returned from his suspension in connection with N$10 million allegedly diverted from the council’s bank accounts into private pockets, was denied entry into the premises on on Monday. The Mayor, Maria Veldskoen insists that they do not recognize him, despite the lapse of his suspension. During Titus’ suspension, Hansina Isaacks was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer for the…

21 Jul

Over N$8,5 million donated for small-scale fisheries

ObserverNational News5 million donated for small-scale fisheries, Derek Klaze, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Over N$8

Stefanus Nashama The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been provided with over N$8,5 million by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to undertake a landscape assessment of small-scale fisheries across the country. According to the Ministry, the N$8,5 million is also meant for the Ministry to undertake stakeholder consultations to obtain inputs to develop the Action Plan. This follows the Ministry’s request for support from the Food and Agriculture Organization to be able to implement the voluntary guidelines on securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, over five years ago. Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on small-scale fisheries yesterday in Windhoek,…

21 Jul

Interference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures

ObserverNational NewsInterference of N$82m Bipa tenderout of public procurement procedures, Manuel Ngaringombe

Stefanus Nashama The official opposition, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says the involvement of the Bank of Namibia and the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise in the implementation of an N$82 million digital registration system by the Business and Intellectual Property Authority of Namibia (BIPA) is out of public procurement procedures. The party further expressed its concern over the revelations that the cost of implementing the digital registration system has ballooned to close to N$100 million from the N$20 million that was originally budgeted by BIPA. According to a statement issued by PDM Secretary General, Manuel Ngaringombe, the party is…

21 Jul

Oshana Region launches Investors Conference

ObserverNational NewsOshana Region launches Investors Conference

Martin Endjala Regional economic units have a duty to stimulate business activities in their regions, in order to increase growth per capital income and employment opportunities and thus, ensure poverty reduction. This was said by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga during the official launch of the Oshana region Investors Conference, launched yesterday in the Oshana region, scheduled to take place from 23 to 24 August 2023. The Minister underscored that it is a reality that regional economic planners and players have a significant role in national economies, particularly in the globalized economy. He added that in…