National News – Page 305 – Windhoek Observer

22 May

Namibia renews biodiversity conservation amidst global challenges

Energy, National News

Niël Terblanché Namibia reaffirmed its dedication to conserving biodiversity, highlighting the critical role it plays in sustaining ecosystems, providing food and medicine, and contributing to overall human well-being. During the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day in Lüderitz, Pohamba Shifeta, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said that biodiversity conservation is not just an environmental issue but a foundational element for economic stability and cultural heritage. In his address, the minister pointed out that human activities such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change pose unprecedented threats to biodiversity. "The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, impacting food…

22 May

GIPAN demands representation on GIPF Board

National News

Niël Terblanché The Government Institution Pensioners' Association of Namibia (GIPAN) has voiced strong objections to the recent five percent annual pension increase, calling it insufficient and an insult to pensioners. Josef Pieters, the chairperson of GIPAN, pointed out that the increment is 0.46 percent lower than the previous financial year's increase, highlighting a trend of diminishing returns for pensioners. Pieters criticized the lack of engagement between the pensioners' association and the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) management. “More than five months lapsed without us meeting to pave the way forward, as a newly elected national body. We would reason that…

22 May

Residents of Mondesa Extension 14 registered for formal housing

National News

Niël Terblanché Following its recent proclamation into a township, the informal settlement area of Swakopmund, previously known as DRC Airport, will soon begin registering residents as beneficiaries for more formal housing. Clarence McClune, the Swakopmund municipality’s general manager of Engineering and Planning Service, announced that the new township will now be called Mondesa Extension 14. Located near the Swakopmund Aerodrome on the eastern side of the coastal town, the DRC Airport area had been used as a temporary settlement in the sprawling DRC informal settlement until it was proclaimed a township earlier this year. At a community meeting over the…

22 May

Namibia urges the US to fully normalise relations with Cuba

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian government has lauded the recent decision by the United States of America to remove Cuba from the Not Fully Cooperating Countries (NFCC) list in counterterrorism efforts. Ambassador Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, recognised the significance of this step, which could signal improved bilateral relations and cooperation on global security matters. In a formal statement, Ambassador Naanda expressed Namibia's satisfaction with the US Department of State's action but highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). He described the placement as unjustified, noting the…

22 May

The Okahao Veterinary Clinic still not operational 11 years later

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Okahao Veterinary Clinic, which is located in the Omusati Region, has still not become operational even though its construction began in 2015. The Ministry of Works and Transport assigned the project to ID Building Contractors, and construction started in May 2015. The construction work was finished in May 2018, which included the clinic building as well as staff accommodation quarters. The building stood idle for years. In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform said the building could not be occupied because of inadequate funds to install the necessary equipment in the clinic. Over the…

22 May

Price war fears as poultry meat imports resume

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Economic analysts fear that the resumption of poultry meat imports could lead to a price war and job losses in the local market. Josef Sheehama has warned that the resumption of the import of poultry meat from South Africa may not be able to compete with our local poultry industry. “This is bad news for our industry. There will be a decline in domestic production and an increase in imports of chicken meat. Since customers will always purchase what is least expensive, their demand will have a big influence on both imports and domestic production,” he said. Sheehama…

22 May

Namibians living abroad will vote on 13 November

National News

Stefanus Nashama Namibians residing in foreign countries who are above the age of 18 will cast their votes for the presidential and national assembly elections on 13 November. This was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), De Wet Siluka, on Wednesday. “The elections will take place in all Namibian diplomatic missions on 13 November,” he said. According to Siluka, ECN will deploy 35 teams to Namibia’s diplomatic missions abroad. “The ECN has established 567 registration teams that will be deployed locally, while 35 teams will serve at the Namibian Diplomatic Missions. Registration points will be…

21 May

Namibia requires a fit-for-purpose Oil and Gas blueprint

Energy, National News

Martin Endjala Namibia requires a forward-looking, fit-for-current and future-purpose Oil and Gas value blueprint and strategy. Jason Kasuto, the managing director of Monasa Advisory and Associates and chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia, said this last week at the 2024 Africa Energies Summit in London. Kasuto emphasised the importance of using foresight tools like the Namibian Socio-Economic Assessment Model (SAM) to analyse the potential impact of future oil and gas spending across various sectors. “We must start with a thorough analysis of potential impacts across various sectors by applying socio-economic impact foresight tools such as the SAM, which is…

21 May

SADC needs US$5.5 billion to assist El Niño victims

National News

Niël Terblanché The current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), President João Lourenço of Angola, launched a regional humanitarian appeal of at least US$5.5 billion aimed at supporting more than 61 million people affected by the El Niño-induced droughts and floods across the region. The appeal seeks to mobilise resources from national, regional, and international partners in response to the devastating impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The plan was unveiled during an extraordinary virtual summit of Heads of State and Government, targeting the augmentation of domestic resources in the affected SADC Member States. In his statement, Lourenço…

21 May

ECN refutes allegations of corruption

National News

Niël Terblanché The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has firmly denied claims circulating on social media regarding alleged corruption in the recruitment process for registration and polling officials for the 2024 General Registration of Voters (GRV) and the upcoming November elections. Peter Shaama, the ECN’s Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, in a statement, addressed the allegations He stressed that the recruitment process adheres strictly to established policies and procedures, in line with the 2024 Electoral Calendar. "The Commission refutes misleading social media posts by a political activist alleging corruption in the recruitment process of registration and polling officials for the…