National News – Page 306 – Windhoek Observer

06 Jul

Credit decisions must be taken locally

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia wants credit decisions taken in Namibia in order to ensure a banking sector system that works for the people of the country. Johannes !Gawaxab, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia made the statement following a courtesy meeting with President Hage Geingob at State House on Tuesday. The visit to the State House was to provide the Head of State with the BoN’s annual briefing on issues of economic concern. “We want a banking sector system that works for Namibia. We want decision-making to be centralised and happening in Namibia,” !Gawaxab said. He stated…

06 Jul

Quality of statistics is not guaranteed in Namibia

ObserverFeatured, National NewsQuality of statistics is not guaranteed in Namibia

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The quality of data is not guaranteed in Namibia because such information is not always compiled for statistical purposes. The representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Namibia (UNFPA) in Namibia, Gift Malunga made the statement at the launch of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) this week. “In Namibia, like in many other countries, inter-agency access to data from administrative and official records is inconsistent and the quality of data is not guaranteed because it is not always compiled for statistical purposes. Currently, the process of data sharing between government entities is not…

06 Jul

SMEs are the catalyst for economic growth

ObserverNational NewsSMEs are the catalyst for economic growth

Martin Endjala Small and Medium Enterprises play an important role in the country’s economic stability and should receive more support to enable such businesses to keep contributing to job creation in Namibia, given the high unemployment rate. This is according to First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) Head of Business Banking, Tomas lindji. He says SMEs need support to enable them to help with the country’s economic recovery efforts. He noted that small businesses fulfill a vital function and therefore, a move to support them is a move to support the economic growth of the country. He however stressed that…

05 Jul

Shikongo dismisses 17 Omaheke reservists

ObserverNational NewsShikongo dismisses 17 Omaheke reservists

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has dismissed at least 17 reservists who were unable to carry out their duties in the Omaheke Region. Shikongo made these remarks during the swearing-in, transfer, appointment, and change of command ceremony which was held in Windhoek yesterday. He said the reservists were dismissed because they we inactive as they are required by law to work at least 16 hours a month to be regarded as active members. “The 17 reservists, who were no longer active, were discharged last week. You have to work 16 hours a…

05 Jul

GRN employees will be able to lend against their pensions

ObserverNational NewsGRN employees will be able to lend against their pensions

Niël Terblanché The Government Institutions Pensions Fund (GIPF) and the Namibian Government will sign an agreement that will enable public servants to lend against their pension to build or buy their own homes. David Nuyoma, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) during a courtesy call on President Hage Geingob at State House, shared the good news and added that the fund has already taken a decision about the matter “We crafted a mechanism that will allow members to use their pension credit to create their own dwellings to shelter themselves. We did this because…

05 Jul

Amupanda happy with GIPF pension-backed home loans

ObserverNational News

Stefanus Nashama The City of Windhoek’s Former Mayor and Affirmative Repositioning Leader, Job Amupanda has expressed his satisfaction with the Government Institutions Pension Funds’ pension-backed home loan initiative. Amupanda yesterday told the Windhoek Observer that he is happy that after several years of advocacy and drumming of superior logic, the Government Institutions Pension Funds (GIPF) has understood and acted on the side of the workers. This follows after the outgoing GIPF Chief Executive Officer David Nuyoma recently said the fund expects to finally roll out pension-backed home loans to help workers secure houses in the coming weeks. Nuyoma said that…

05 Jul

Namcol boss unfazed by LPM

ObserverNational NewsNamcol boss unfazed by LPM

Martin Endjala Heroldt Murangi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) says he does not report to the Landless People’s Movement and he has other important issues that need his attention instead of being asked about advertising billboards. The CEO was responding to questions concerning a letter directed to him by the LPM Youth Command Element Leader, Duminga Ndala on Sunday. NAMCOL launched its first illuminated double-sided LED billboard at a reported cost of N$2.3 million to advertise services and products of the institution. Although this is seen as a gesture to reach a wider…

05 Jul

Residents expose Karasburg’s dirty laundry

ObserverNational News

Martin Endjala Following a recent visit by Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development to the Karasburg Town Council, residents were quick to expose the local authority’s purported dirty laundry. One of the issues brought to light is the dormant build-together programme that was implemented by the ministry but has for a decade failed to construct new houses. Angry residents claimed that the Council has been mismanaging the funds allocated to it, with some also revealing that some residents, who are on the list for houses to be built are those who have not been paying anything, whilst…

05 Jul

Ondangwa Town Council plans to address the housing shortage

ObserverNational NewsOndangwa Town Council plans to address the housing shortage

Stefanus Nashama Paavo Amwele, the Mayor of Ondangwa said the town already raised and set aside N$2.4 million to address the issue of housing along with a market space that would see members of the public conducting business and at the same time pay for services. According to the Mayor, the town never received money from the government or any financial assistance from anywhere and added that the N$2.4 million came from residents who paid for the town’s services with the little money they have. He said the town council will do everything possible to create formal and informal areas,…

04 Jul

‘Urgent’ Bills now in the hands of the National Council

ObserverNational News‘Urgent’ Bills now in the hands of the National Council

Martin Endjala The ball is now in the hands of the National Council to debate and consider the urgent bills referred to it by the National Assembly after the latter deliberated and passed the legislation in accordance with Article 75(1) of the Namibian Constitution.This was necessitated to ensure that Namibia is not greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). So far, eight urgent bills and one ordinary bill were referred last week to the National Council which resumed its 6th session yesterday and is expected to conclude on 20 July. The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Sinimbo yesterday…