National News – Page 314

18 Aug

CoW denies awarding N$200 million tender to Pulsar Electronic Solutions

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCity of Windhoek (CoW), Pulsar Electronic Solutions

Martin Endjala The City of Windhoek (CoW) has refuted allegations of awarding a tender worth N$200 million to a company called Pulsar Electronic Solution, after recent media reports that the tender was awarded under dubious circumstances. In response to media reports, the city’s communication department clarified in a statement issued yesterday, that the claims are unfounded and misleading. Explaining that Pulsar Electronic Solutions is a startup innovation company located at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Fabrication Laboratory, and the company is led by young Namibian researchers who invented and patented the GRIDx electric pre-paid smart meter, which incorporates…

18 Aug

Long-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLong-distance trucks are a safety risk in Omaruru

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Omaruru, a town crucially positioned as a transportation link between Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo, is grappling with road safety risks caused by long-distance trucks that inundate the town. Joseph Haipinge, the Head of Planning and Technical Services in the Omaruru Town Council, has highlighted the hazardous state of the town’s roads, worsened by the ongoing movements of trucks. He said the town faces an ongoing issue with a narrow bridge over the Omaruru River which connects the town to surrounding areas. He added that the restricted width of the bridge caused difficulties for heavy trucks to manoeuvre…

18 Aug

TransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

info_e12wt4csNational NewsTransNamib spent N$2million on six new vehicles

Martin Endjala While facing cash-follow challenges, TransNamib has recently acquired six vehicles at the cost of N$2 million. In an interview with Windhoek Observer this week, TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer said the purchase was necessary to boost the company’s operational capacity which has been lagging behind for some years now. She added that the vehicles will help generate enough revenue to meet the state-owned company’s expenses. “These vehicles are a necessary cost for the company to increase operational efficiency. The remedy to Transnamib’s cash flow challenges is to generate more income. The investment in this equipment will help us do…

18 Aug

Solar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSolar power project for Erongo Desalination Plant gets underway

Niël Terblanché The five Mega Watt solar power plant developed for Orano Mining Namibia which will supply part of the power required for the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP), reached an important milestone when groundworks at the Trekkopje site commenced recently. According to Christine De Klerk, Orano Mining’s Communication and Communities Consultant, the plant will be constructed under a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with InnoSun Energy Holdings, known as Phase 1 of the Sorexa Project. “The agreement includes the establishment of a five MW solar plant at the Trekkopje Site just northeast of Arandis, from where power will be supplied…

18 Aug

U.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

info_e12wt4csNational NewsU.S. to invest N$840 million in ‘Reach Namibia’ program

Stefanus Nashama The United State President’s Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief known as (PEPFAR) will invest approximately N$840 million to provide health and social services to vulnerable children, adolescents and youth in Namibia. PEPFAR Namibia Deputy Principal for USAID, Tamara Cox, made this announcement at a media briefing yesterday in the capital. According to Cox, Reach Namibia is a five-year program from 2023 to 2028 operating in eight regions in Namibia where 80 percent of the population resides. She said the program is implemented by two local organisations which are Project HOPE Namibia, operating in Khomas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto…

17 Aug

MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHidipo Hamata, MoHSS urged to permanently employ NTLP workers

Staff Writer Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Hidipo Hamata has called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to reassess the employment status of the staff of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) who have served under contract for over a decade. According to Hamata, the health workers have served in the Ministry within the NTLP program since 2006, contributing significantly to the nation’s healthcare landscape. Despite their unwavering commitment and critical roles, the lawmaker noted that many of them continue to work under precarious contract arrangements, year after year. NTLP is an integral program of the…

17 Aug

Namibia and South Africa forge an alliance against corruption

info_e12wt4csNational Newse Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Namibia and South Africa forge an alliance against corruption

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of South Africa have agreed to exchange information about corruption, including sector-specific best practices in forensic investigation methodologies and techniques. This collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. ACC spokesperson, Josephine Nghituwamata told Windhoek Observer this week that the primary goal of the MoU is to establish a robust foundation for cooperation between the parties in their collective fight against corruption and economic crimes. “It addresses the reciprocal technical assistance that the two parties will provide to one another as required.…

17 Aug

Rehabilitation of Etosha Roads urgently required

info_e12wt4csNational Newsand Tourism, Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Rehabilitation of Etosha Roads urgently required

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Executive Director at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Teofilus Nghitila, revealed yesterday that rehabilitation work is needed for the roads within Etosha National Park. Nghitila made this announcement during the launch of the Tourist Statistical Report for 2020. “The Ministry requires additional support for road maintenance and we call upon all stakeholders,” Nghitila stated. He however expressed gratitude to the Roads Authority for their work on the roads leading to Uis, deeming them to be in excellent condition. This statement comes in contrast to the ministry’s s earlier denial of allegations and widespread perceptions that Etosha…

17 Aug

Masubia Traditional Authority given three months to elect a chief

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMasubia Traditional Authority given three months to elect a chief

Martin Endjala Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni, has given the Masubia Traditional Authority three months to choose one candidate for the chieftainship position which has been vacant since the death of former chief Munitenge Kisco Liswani III in July 2021. Uutoni wrote to Masubia Traditional Community Head Princess, Sinte Maiba, earlier this month, informing her about the outcome of the ministerial investigations in the chieftainship succession dispute which was carried out between 05 to 18 December 2022 and 15 to 20 May 2023. The minister informed Maiba that, the investigating committee revealed that according to their observations,…

16 Aug

International pressure dictating the management of our natural resources: Hambukushu Chief

info_e12wt4csNational NewsErwin Munika Mbambo, International pressure dictating the management of our natural resources: Hambukushu Chief

Stefanus Nashama Chief of the Hambukushu tribe, Erwin Munika Mbambo, has deeply expressed his concern over the issue of Namibia’s Obeisance to international pressure on how the country manages its natural resources. As a traditional leader, Mbambo said he has observed that international conservation groups have tendencies to dictate and manipulate how African countries should manage their natural resources, causing the country to suffer the consequences afterward. According to him, international conservation individuals have no understanding of the social dimensions and realities of local communities in countries, like Namibia, citing that their interest only relies on their benefits. In this…