National News – Page 280 – Windhoek Observer

29 Mar

IPC condemns debacle at Namcor, calls for investigation

ObserverNational NewsIPC condemns debacle at Namcor

Niël Terblanché The Vice President of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Trevino Forbes has expressed deep concern about the debacle that unfolded at the Namibian Petroleum Corporation on Monday. “The developments surrounding Namcor have raised serious questions about the management of Namibia’s natural resources. Namcor is a critical entity in Namibia’s oil and gas sector, and its proper function is essential for the country’s economic development and the well-being of its citizens,” Forbes said in a statement. He said that recent reports about the investigation into Namcor’s Managing Director, Immanuel Mulunga’s involvement in the N$100 million payment for oil…

29 Mar

Analysts warn against reputational damage at Namcor

ObserverNational NewsAnalysts warn against reputational damage at Namcor, Jennifer Comalie, Namibian Petroleum Corporation

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Subsequent to the arrest of the Chairperson of the board of the Namibian Petroleum Corporation, Jennifer Comalie, analysts unanimously agreed that petty infighting and abuse of office at the company will not only damage its reputation but also that of Namibia. Comalie was arrested on charges relating to the possession of illicit drugs shortly after a meeting of the board started at the offices of the energy corporation in Windhoek on Monday. The arrest follows a few days after it was revealed that there is currently a power struggle between the Chairperson of the Namcor Board, Comalie and…

29 Mar

MP’s protest against long queues during elections

ObserverNational NewsMP’s protest against long queues during elections

Martin Endjala Members of Parliament have vented their frustrations about the long queues observed during Namibia’s voting and registration process. MPs stated that it is time-wasting and an indication that Namibia is far behind compared to Zambia, Angola and South Arica when it comes to digitalised voting and registration. Parliamentarians urged the Electoral Commission of Namibia to improve its current status by intensifying the unpleasant scenarios observed in the country. They labelled the current process as unconducive and that it is time that the ECN move away from old practices. “I remember when I visited the Angola elections last year,…

29 Mar

Nangombe places hope on state-of-the-art medical machinery

ObserverNational NewsNangombe places hope on state-of-the-art medical machinery

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services spends more than N$50 million annually on dialysis services that are provided by private health facilities. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the health ministry, has placed his hope in state-of-the-art machinery set to cost N$6 million to provide dialysis facilities for Namibians. The ministry currently only offers dialysis services at three public hospitals. The funding will increase the renal dialysis treatment capacity at the Oshakati, Katutura, Rundu, Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo state hospitals. Nangombe said the representatives of the health ministry appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee…

28 Mar

SPYL Secretary hits back at Amupanda

ObserverNational NewsEphraim Nekongo, SPYL Secretary hits back at Amupanda

STEFANUS NASHAMA SWAPO Party Youth League Secretary, Ephraim Nekongo has hit back at Affirmative Repositioning activist Job Amupanda, who last week said that the ruling party is old, fatigued, and unable to understand modern realities and aspirations. Nekongo, in an interview yesterday said Amupanda is “mixing things” just because he wants to be the country’s next president. Nekongo added that Amupanda’s dream is far-fetched, as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is the next president. “First of all Amupanda is a product of SWAPO, lives in a country liberated by SWAPO, and was educated because SWAPO fought for the Independence of Namibia. He should…

28 Mar

AG wants N$ 5 million to attain independence

ObserverNational NewsAG wants N$ 5 million to attain independence

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Office of the Auditor General will need N$ 4 980 000 to acquire and maintain the institution’s financial and operational autonomy. This is according to the Minister in the Presidency, Christina //Hoebes, who during her motivation for the budget allocation said the office’s independence program is one of three initiatives the office will pursue this year. Public Expenditure Oversight, Independence and Legal Framework and Policy Coordination and Support Services are the three main initiatives that the Office will pursue. However, according to //Hoebes, obtaining and maintaining financial and administrative autonomy as well as appropriate human, material, and…

28 Mar

LPM youth leader calls for 80 percent youth employment in the mining sector

ObserverNational NewsDuminga Ndala, LPM youth leader calls for 80 percent youth employment in the mining sector

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement Youth Leader Duminga Ndala is calling for 80 percent employment in the mining sector to be filled up by young people, saying this will result in direct inclusivity for young people residing within the areas where minerals are being mined. Ndala says this translates to social responsibility by mining companies while ensuring that youth unemployment is tackled especially in regions where mining activities are being conducted. The LPM youth Leader said this at a media briefing yesterday in Windhoek, where she explained that the mining sector is one of the sectors which exploits young…

28 Mar

Exponential economic growth is urgently needed

ObserverNational NewsExponential economic growth is urgently needed, Obeth Kandjoze

Niël Terblanché Drastic steps will have to be taken to exponentially boost the natural growth of Namibia’s economy because the current trend will not be sufficient to address the country’s ambitions to ultimately improve the standard of living of its citizens. The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, said that recurring droughts, a global collapse of commodity prices, dwindling foreign direct investments as well as the Covid-19 pandemic has had lasting as well as devastating consequences on Namibia’s economy. “These factors impacted our small open economy severely and consequently put further restraints on our public and private…

28 Mar

Hengari prioritizing Nauyoma and Amushelelo’s release

ObserverNational NewsHengari prioritizing Nauyoma and Amushelelo’s release, Nauyoma and Amushelelo

STEFANUS NASHAMA Youth Activist and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Inna Hengari yesterday said the release of Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukweni Nauyoma remains her top priority. She also said that her arrest on Namibia’s independence day motivates her further to fight for the youth. Hengari was released on a bail of N$5000 last week Friday while Nauyoma and Amushelelo were denied bail and remanded in custody. The two will lodge another bail application on Wednesday. They were arrested after an attempt to protest against youth unemployment. “We will continue to relentlessly champion the release of Nauyoma and Amushelelo.…

28 Mar

Youth unemployment must be addressed urgently

ObserverNational NewsEfraim Nekongo, Willem Amutenya, Youth unemployment must be addressed urgently

Niël Terblanché A special meeting of the central committee of the SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) has been requested to address the rampant unemployment of especially the youth in Namibia. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the organization, Efraim Nekongo, a member of the central committee, Willem Amutenya, requested the special meeting. “The issue of youth unemployment, which has been at our core discussion as a youth league has elevated to a different level in the last weeks. We have seen some fellow youth protesting on Independence Day,” Amutenya wrote in his letter. He was of the opinion…