National News – Page 326

24 Nov

American airport officials explore collaboration opportunities in Namibia

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Niël Terblanché Namibia, a nation not often in the spotlight for many in the United States of America, recently drew the attention of a high-level delegation from the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The delegation, led by Balram Bheodari, the General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, embarked on a visit to Namibia with the aim of advancing air service development efforts, which essentially means exploring opportunities for new passenger or cargo flights. The visiting group also included leaders from the airport’s infrastructure and commercial team. During their factfinding mission, the delegation engaged with various Namibian entities, including…

24 Nov

Sinimbo urges for diversification in expertise in trade and economics

info_e12wt4csNational NewsSinimbo urges for diversification in expertise in trade and economics

Stefanus Nashama The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industrialisation, Verna Sinimbo, has made an appeal to international and development partners for the supply of expertise in trade and economic diversification. Speaking at a consultative workshop on skills for trade and economic diversification held in Windhoek, Sinimbo stressed that the days when trade was limited to the exchange of physical goods were long gone. She stressed that Namibia’s competitiveness in the global trade arena depends on the skills of its workforce. “A highly skilled labour force not only enhances productivity but also positions us as a preferred partner in international trade…

24 Nov

Chinese hospitals overwhelmed as cases of mystery disease increase

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChinese hospitals overwhelmed as cases of mystery disease increase

Niël Terblanché Chinese hospitals are grappling with a sudden surge in cases of a mysterious respiratory illness that has left authorities baffled and the World Health Organization (WHO) deeply concerned. While China struggles with this mystery illness and its potential implications, the world is anxiously watching and hoping for swift answers and effective containment measures to protect public health. The outbreak has raised alarms as it primarily affects children, adding to the existing healthcare challenges faced by the nation. Reports of the illness first emerged from various regions across China, but cases have now also been confirmed in the capital…

24 Nov

Aunt murders two-year-old niece with palm frond

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAunt murders two-year-old niece with palm frond

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 40-year-old woman from Okafitukakuni Village in the Outapi Constituency was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly assaulting her two-year-and-6-months-old niece, Susan Noongo, with a dry stick part of palm frond. The assault resulted in Noongo sustaining a broken right arm and losing consciousness. The incident is alleged to have occurred around 14H00. According to the Omusati Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Ishmael Basson in a grim turn of events, at around 18h00 on the same day, the suspect reportedly placed the unconscious child in a baby carrier and transported her to Omahenene clinic. “The suspect put the deceased in…

23 Nov

NSFAF policies entrap unemployed youth in debt

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNSFAF policies entrap unemployed youth in debt

Stefanus Nashama In a passionate plea, Parliamentarian and Lawmaker Inna Hengari from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for a thorough review of the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) policies governing loan conditions for students. Hengari made this impassioned appeal during her recent parliamentary address, where she urged NSFAF to explore ways to incentivize loan beneficiaries to pursue entrepreneurship and job creation after completing their studies. According to her, the current six-month grace period for repaying NSFAF loans is inadequate and leads to a troubling situation where unemployed graduates find themselves burdened with debt shortly after receiving their…

23 Nov

Icelandic minister rejects Venaani’s demands on Samherji renewable energy funding

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIcelandic minister rejects Venaani’s demands on Samherji renewable energy funding

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Icelandic Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, has decisively turned down the proposal made by McHenry Venaani, the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), urging the Icelandic government to reconsider its plan to provide a 100 million Icelandic krona renewable energy grant to the Samherji Company. Venaani had written to Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir earlier this month, expressing concerns about the renewable energy grant offered to Samherji, a company allegedly involved in corrupt activities in Namibia’s fishing industry, now known as the fishrot scandal. In response, Thórdarson emphasized that Samherji’s grant application…

23 Nov

Otavi municipality dumpsite without Environmental Clearance Certificate

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOtavi municipality dumpsite without Environmental Clearance Certificate

Hertta- Maria Amutenja According to Namibia’s Auditor General Junias Kandjeke, the Otavi municipality’s dumpsite and sewerage pond lack an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The sad state of affairs was revealed in the Auditor General’s report on the town’s accounts for the financial years ending 30 June 2020 and 2021. Kandjeke said the town council failed to furnish ECC for both the dumpsite and the sewerage pond. “The auditors observed that the Council has a dumpsite and sewerage pond, however, no environmental clearance certificate could be provided,” he said The Auditor General said the town council neglected to allocate funds for…

23 Nov

Building plans valued at N$333 million were approved in October

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBuilding plans valued at N$333 million were approved in October

Martin Endjala In October, both Windhoek and Swakopmund municipalities approved a combined total of 268 building plans, with a prospective development value of N$333.2 million. This represents a 7.6 percent month-on-month decrease and a 19 percent year-on-year decline in approvals, while completed projects for the month reached 180. Simonis Storm Securities Economist, Halleluya Ndimulunde provided insights into the building statistics, highlighting that during October, the City of Windhoek approved 197 building plans, up by 22 from September, marking a monthly growth rate of 12.6 percent. This, however, also reflected a 29.6 percent decrease compared to October 2022. The total value…

23 Nov

Law enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

info_e12wt4csNational NewsLaw enforcement agencies are prepared for the festive season

Niël Terblanché As the festive season gets into full swing, law enforcement agencies in Namibia are poised to uphold their duty to protect and serve the public, striving to make the roads safer and promote a secure environment for all residents and visitors alike. As a result, these agencies in Namibia are gearing up and preparing to ensure public safety and security during a period traditionally associated with increased road accidents and other incidents. Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, during the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund, has urged all…

23 Nov

PM urges local authorities to play their role effectively

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Martin Endjala Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has urged Local Authorities to play their roles effectively if the government is to succeed in realising its policy objective to promote highly sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development. She said Local Authorities are the first point of contact with the government by residents and businesses in urban areas as society is becoming increasingly urbanised. She made these remarks yesterday at the official opening of the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) and Namibia University Science Technology 2023 Good Governance, Leadership, and Project Management Training at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.…